Hurdle in the path of Metro fare dodgers

A woman uses the higher barrier at Nanjing Road E. Station. — Wang Rongjiang

Fare dodgers who jump over Metro turnstiles face a tougher challenge in the shape of higher ticket barriers being trialed at Nanjing Road E. Station.

Pairs of automatic barrier gates installed at the Metro Line 2 stop are around chest height, compared to waist-high turnstiles.

The barriers, which open from the middle once a ticket is accepted, are more convenient for passengers with bags, said Metro operator Shentong Group yesterday.

Passengers at Nanjing Road E. Station welcomed the barriers, with some saying that they might also deter fare dodgers.

"I think it will help cut the number of people evading fares by jumping over a turnstile," said one commuter.

But as the barriers have a gap of around 40 centimeters under them, a determined fare dodger may still find a way through.

The barriers will be removed after the trial. Shentong said they may be installed on new Metro routes, like the Disney Line, though plans had not been finalized.

Anyone caught fare dodging on the Metro system faces a 50 yuan (US$8) fine plus five times the cost of the ticket.

In 2011, it was said that 10,000 Metro passengers a day evaded fares, with staff noting that there were "many Liu Xiangs at Metro stations" — a reference to Shanghai's Olympic gold medal winning hurdler.