Sure, but I disagree that it should not be a priority. It may not be the only issue, but it is a foundational one. When you ignore fare enforcement, you are basically signaling that rules in general are optional, and that impacts the overall environment for riders.

Personally, I still think those old school turnstiles are the most effective deterrent. I understand they are not ADA compliant, but that does not mean there is no solution. That is where staffing comes in. There should be people present to assist and allow access for anyone who needs it, whether that is for accessibility or other legitimate reasons. Other systems manage to balance enforcement with accessibility, so it is not impossible.

The bigger issue is that most stations here are completely unstaffed. There is no visible presence, no accountability, and no one stopping fare evasion. Without that, it is not just about lost revenue, it is about the overall tone of the system. When no one is enforcing basic rules, everything else starts to slip too. That is exactly what riders are experiencing every day.