There has to be a better way...

One of the great advantages of traveling in the Bay area is the transportation. Their trains, street cars, are busses are very convenient and easy to use, but I do question one thing...the proof of payment method. Unlike DC and NYC where you have to type or swipe your card before entering, San Fran follows their honest system where people are expected to have a ticket in hand to show to the Fare Inspectors if requested. Or if someone is using a Clippers card, they need to tap it on one of the kiosks before boarding the train. The problem with this proof of payment method is that the ticket is not being checked consistently so the staff may overlook the few passengers that ride for free. And certain people use the clippers card, how can they track if passengers tapped their card? I can only imagine how much the Caltrain, the VTA, and other modes of transportation lose so much money every year. Of all the times that I have boarded the Caltrain and VTA, not once was I asked for my boarding ticket. And what makes it more confusing traveling in the Bay area, depending what part, the mode of transportation company is different requiring to figure out the cost and how to get there. The good thing with it is that if someone owns a clippers card, they can use it on the different transportation systems. For example, I can use it on the Caltrain and then switch to the BART in the city. As long there is money loaded on the card, the person is set to go.

But at the same time, it would be hard to implement the systems made in DC and NYC in San Fran because of the design of the stations. First and foremost, most if not all are outside and its not gated. It is completely open. On many stops, you can walk out the physical track to get to the other side of the station. So attempting to force people pay before loading on would be difficult. There has to be a better way...