During a committee meeting on April 28, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shared plans to install modern gates in 20 subway stations throughout New York City later this year, an addition to the recent attempts to limit fare evasion. With this initiative, the MTA continues to focus on methods that do not address or solve the root causes of fare evasion, ultimately wasting money.
The new gates, which include glass sliding doors and light-up displays, are described as “difficult to force open” and will cost $1.1 billion to install at 150 stations over a five-year plan. The change follows a pattern of attempts to redesign the gates at subway stations and encourage subway riders to pay the fare instead of hopping turnstiles.
Previously, the MTA has implemented 15-second delays on emergency exit doors, installed spikes and shields on existing turnstiles and stationed guards and police officers near entry points. Earlier versions of the glass door gates were implemented in 2023, but the doors could easily open for anyone reaching over to trigger the exit sensor.
A Blue Ribbon Report from the MTA states that of the $700 million it loses annually from fare and toll evasion, $315 million is lost from evaded bus fares and $285 million is lost from evaded subway fares. While fare evasion in subways is a pressing matter, evaded bus fare ends up costing the MTA more and is not nearly as policed as subway entries are.
Additionally, the root of the fare evasion problem lies within the worsening condition of the subway, which discourages riders from paying for subpar service. Focusing efforts toward making the subways cleaner, safer and timelier would create better conditions for subway riders. The MTA’s lack of time and effort on other issues within the subway system shows a commitment towards profit maximization over rider satisfaction.
Initiatives such as placing track barriers that reduce the number of riders that fall onto the tracks as well as improving infrastructure across tracks, stations and subway cars to decrease train delays can directly improve the experience of subway riders in NYC. However, the implementation of the newest turnstile design ultimately does very little to support riders’ needs.
