By Jung Gatoona

Metro's The Source did a whole Q&A about TAP cards awhile back, and in it was a small segment that talked about fare inspectors getting their hands on a new Nokia cellphone that checked to validate TAP cards. Fare Evaders, beware, for these new validators are cheaper and lighter than their past predecessors, and this means all if not more fare inspectors will carry it with them. So far these new validators have officially rolled out onto the hands of fare inspectors, and while not all fare inspectors have them, those that do are using it extensively across rail stations.

Just a week ago while waiting for the subway at the 7th St/Metro station, a group of undercover sheriffs roaming about the area pulled out their badges from under their shirts, proceeded by blocking all entrance/exit ways, and once the area was secure, they shouted, "Tickets and passes please!" As I curiously stood watching, a few of the inspectors who were shown TAP cards pulled out from their pockets the Nokia cellphones to validate the TAPs. Within a minute, the next thing the inspectors took out were the tickets and pens. It seemed within that one setting, several people had TAP cards that weren't valid. One rider who received the $250 fine said to his friend, "They caught me off guard."

As I spoke to one of the fare inspectors there, he told me during my interview, "I don't want people to ride for free. If everyone thinks it's okay to break the law and ride without paying, there would be chaos!
"Do you like the new Nokia cellphones?" I asked.
"Having the ability to read the cards is pretty cool. We use to let people who just showed their cards go, but now we can make sure they actually paid."
"Have you caught more people without the proper fare because of this device?"
"We've definitely caught more people, but compared to riders who have invalid cards, we still catch more of those who have nothing to show at all."
"How well do these devices work, any problems?"
"It does take longer because sometimes we have to enter the card numbers on the back twice. When we enter it the first time, sometimes it doesn't go through and we have to do it again. It still works though."

So as the Nokia TAP readers end up on the hands of more and more fare inspectors, fare evaders are further cornered into the wall. And, as a warning for those that do pay and use TAP, always make sure to tap your TAPs at turnstiles or ticket machines to validate them.

Illustration & Photo | Jung Gatoona