MTA Fare Gates Pilot Launches to Tackle Fare Evasion in NYC

MTA fare gates will soon replace traditional turnstiles at 20 New York City subway stations as part of a new initiative to stop fare evasion and improve system security. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it will install the MTA fare gates this fall, beginning with major stations like Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center, 14th Street–Union Square, and 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal.

MTA Fare Gates to Replace Turnstiles in Pilot Program

The pilot project will also cover Delancey Street–Essex Street, Nostrand Avenue, Crown Heights–Utica Avenue, Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, and Forest Hills–71st Avenue.

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Each location will receive five sets of modern gates designed to be difficult to bypass without payment.

Officials confirmed that results from the pilot would determine if the new gates roll out across the subway system permanently. Because fare evasion costs the agency hundreds of millions annually, the MTA seeks effective solutions quickly.

Previous Anti-Fare Evasion Measures by the MTA

Earlier efforts to block fare beaters included installing crescent-shaped metal shields at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall Station.

In addition, “subway spikes” appeared at Lexington Avenue–59th Street Station to prevent riders from vaulting over handrails.

However, 2023 saw issues with new electric exit gates. A viral TikTok video revealed how riders could trigger sensors without paying by merely waving a hand.

So, by launching the MTA fare gates pilot, the agency aims to enhance subway security and close long-standing gaps in its fare collection systems.

If successful, these changes could dramatically reshape how millions of daily riders interact with New York City’s subway entrances.

Source, photo: ww.fox5ny.com

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