New subway fare gates cut evasion by 72% at some stations

Key Points:

• Modern fare gates installed at 20 subway stations as part of a pilot program reduced fare evasion by an average of 35% in the first half of the year, with some stations seeing reductions over 70%, according to the MTA and Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.
• The new gates, designed to improve accessibility for riders with wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage, use sensors and cameras to detect payment and close safely after passage, aiming to replace emergency exit gates that were a major source of fare evasion.
• Three companies—Cubic, Conduent, and S Traffic—are part of the pilot, with Cubic showing the strongest results at high-evasion stations; the MTA plans to install gates at an additional 50 stations soon and eventually at 150 stations.
• Riders expressed support for the gates, noting they help reduce fare evasion, though some acknowledged they do not eliminate all opportunities for unpaid entry.
• The MTA's current capital plan includes $1.1 billion approved for fare gate installation, with the next 20 stations across Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens scheduled to receive the new gates.