How STraffic Delivered 4 Months Early
- clee5866
- Oct 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Transforming BART’s Fare Evasion Challenge into an Opportunity for Innovation
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), a critical transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area, faced growing challenges with fare evasion, outdated infrastructure, and safety concerns that affected operations and rider confidence. Fare evasion alone accounted for an estimated $25 million in annual losses, largely due to outdated fare gates that were easy to bypass.
BART also needed to improve system accessibility and payment flexibility. The existing system relied primarily on Clipper cards, which weren’t convenient for all riders, especially occasional commuters or visitors. To address these issues and modernize its fare collection system, BART sought a solution that would reduce fare evasion, strengthen station security, and enhance the overall rider experience.
With extensive experience delivering large-scale transit modernization projects in metropolitan networks worldwide, STraffic was selected to provide a secure, efficient, and future-ready solution capable of meeting BART’s operational and technological goals.
Delivering Measurable Impact: Major Reductions in Fare Evasion and Systemwide Gains
STraffic’s solution delivered measurable, systemwide improvements across BART’s network:
38% reduction in fare evasion, with 50% fewer passengers reporting fare evasion incidents.
17% decrease in crime at stations, creating a safer environment for riders and staff. BART has long identified fare evasion as a gateway to other unwanted behaviors within stations; by eliminating easy access through outdated gates, the new system helped reduce both fare evasion and related security issues.
Ridership across the system increased by 5%, and at West Oakland Station, where the prototype gates were first launched, entries rose by 120,000 in June 2024 compared to the same month the previous year.
Successful deployment across all 50 BART stations, completed 4 months ahead of schedule with no service disruptions. STraffic ensured full compliance with U.S. transportation safety and environmental standards throughout design, testing, and implementation, guaranteeing long-term reliability and sustainability for BART’s operations.
These results demonstrate how STraffic’s advanced technology, expert implementation, and proactive project management enhanced BART’s operational efficiency, bolstered safety, and improved the overall rider experience.
STraffic's Advanced AFC and Open Payment System Redefine Fare Security
STraffic implemented a complete upgrade to BART’s fare collection system through an Automated Fare Collection (AFC) solution featuring advanced technology and rider-centric design.
Next-Generation Fare Gates: 2.6-meter-tall swing gates reinforced with glass and equipped with First Opening Force Technology to prevent fare evasion by jumping or crawling.
Intelligent Sensors: Real-time monitoring detects bicycles, strollers, and large items, ensuring accessibility for all passengers.
Open and Contactless Payment Integration: STraffic introduced BART’s new Tap and Ride system, an open payment solution that brings greater convenience and flexibility to riders. Using advanced contactless technology, passengers can simply tap their credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly at the gate—no separate transit card required. The system continues to support Clipper cards for existing users and provides BART with a scalable foundation for future regional payment integrations.
Seamless Installation: The project was completed ahead of schedule, minimizing disruption and ensuring continuous service throughout implementation.
A Proven Model for Fare Evasion Prevention and Transit Modernization
STraffic’s partnership with BART demonstrates its capability to deliver complex, high-impact solutions for large metropolitan transit systems. Drawing on extensive global experience in automated fare collection, smart mobility, and prior large-scale deployments across major metropolitan networks, STraffic helped BART overcome long-standing challenges in fare evasion, security, and payment flexibility.
Through advanced fare gate technology, intelligent sensors, and open payment integration, STraffic enhanced operational efficiency and improved the overall rider experience. The project was successfully completed across all 50 stations—4 months ahead of schedule and in full compliance with U.S. transportation safety and environmental standards—showcasing STraffic’s precision, reliability, and disciplined project management.
This achievement reflects STraffic’s proven expertise in executing large-scale transit modernization projects from start to finish, delivering secure, accessible, and future-ready fare collection systems for some of the world’s most dynamic urban networks. STraffic continues to set new standards in transit innovation, helping agencies create safer, smarter, and more connected cities.
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