If you’ve passed through a BART station recently, you’ve probably felt more like you’re entering a high-security research facility than a train platform.
The agency’s iconic, easily bypassable orange-finned turnstiles are officially history. BART wrapped up its systemwide rollout of the towering, heavy-duty “Next Generation” fare gates across all 50 stations, completely transforming the look and feel of the transit network.
While they certainly look intimidating, there is a lot of impressive tech and surprising data humming beneath those stainless steel hoods. Here are 7 crazy facts about BART’s new multi-million dollar gates that you probably didn’t know:
1. They Feature a World-Exclusive “Iron Grip” Lock
You’d basically need the Jaws of Life to force the new gates open…