MTA Moves To Replace Subway Turnstiles In Fare-Evasion Fight

The MTA is progressing with its initiative to revamp subway turnstiles, initiating the first stages of acquiring a replacement for fare gates that authorities deem too susceptible to unauthorized entry.

In its latest move, the transit agency released a “request for information” (RFI) to attract proposals from vendors interested in crafting a new, updated turnstile to replace the long-standing ones at the city’s 472 subway stations. The RFI calls for firms to offer concepts for “secure, accessible, and modern fare gates” aligning with the MTA’s objectives of ensuring fare compliance, preventing evasion, enhancing accessibility, and elevating the overall customer experience.

Prospective firms are required to present plans for both “wide-aisle” gates accommodating wheelchair users, individuals with strollers, or those requiring additional space, as well as standard turnstiles accessible to people with disabilities while being more resistant to unauthorized entry than the current low-to-the-ground turnstiles.

Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the priority of safety for all New Yorkers, stating that the new fare gates would enhance safety and accessibility in the subway system while facilitating smoother entry and exit for riders.

MTA officials contend that the existing turnstile is excessively permeable and easily exploited, leading to fare evasion practices such as jumping over, “back-cocking,” or casually using emergency exit gates. The agency estimates that fare evasion incurred a cost of $700 million in 2022, a figure that has risen significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic and may continue to increase.

Several international firms have already expressed public interest in securing the contract to redesign turnstiles across the five boroughs, anticipating a lucrative opportunity.

While a comprehensive turnstile redesign is still years away, addressing fare evasion remains an immediate concern. The MTA’s interim solution involves a substantial increase in police enforcement, with fare evasion-related arrests and summonses experiencing a notable surge. Gothamist reported a substantial rise in overtime expenditures for subway policing, reaching $155 million compared to $4 million the previous year. Additionally, funding for 1,200 additional overtime hours daily for subway system police was announced in late 2022.

Despite efforts on the subway, fare evasion on buses presents a more complex challenge, with MTA officials estimating that over a third of bus riders do not pay the fare. To address this issue, the MTA has expanded its “Eagle Teams” of inspectors to check fare payments on buses, extending beyond Select Buses to local routes and bus stop “hubs” where multiple lines converge.