In today’s Oregonian, there’s an article on TriMet’s move to enclose the platforms at the NE 82nd Ave. and Gresham MAX stations in an effort to curtail fare evaders. The enclosure work would begin this fall. The idea is to have these stations staffed with ticket inspectors to check for valid fares.

While this move is long overdue and should be implemented throughout the system, shouldn’t TriMet make more of an effort to first ensure all machines are functional throughout the system? This has been a key complaint for a long time from passengers, yet little to no action has taken place.

Perhaps combining these initiatives is a way for one (fines collected from those without a valid fare) to pay for the other (enclosing the platforms). Regardless, fix the machines first, then worry about who’s not paying fares.