MTA to install spikes and paddles on turnstiles at all NYC subway stations as barrier for fare evaders
NEW YORK (WABC) — The MTA will install jagged metal partitions and plastic paddles on every subway turnstile in efforts to reduce fare evasion.
The barriers have been installed at 327 of the city’s 472 subway stations. By the end of next month, another 129 will be added, according to documents published by the agency.
The MTA plans to spend $7.3 million on the new features, a relatively small sum compared to the $1.1 billion it’s budgeted to install entirely redesigned sets of fare gates at 150 stations through its five-year construction plan.
Transit officials say fare evasion has reduced by 60% since the design was implemented.
“Some members of the public might think these interventions just look funny, but the truth, the truth of the matter is these modifications work,” NYC Transit President Demetrius Chrichlow said.
For years the agency has raised alarms about people skipping the fare. The agency estimated it will lose $400 million to subway fare evasion this year, up from $285 million in 2022.
In addition to the spikes and paddles, the MTA will pilot fare gates from four companies at 20 stations this year. They feature double doors, and have been used in other cities around the world with success limiting fare evasion.
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