Crain’s: MTA moves to replace subway turnstiles in fare-evasion fight
December 26, 2023 The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City is advancing efforts to combat fare evasion and enhance accessibility by replacing traditional subway turnstiles with a new generation of fare gates. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the MTA’s plan to seek proposals for these new gates, which aim to deter fare evasion—a problem costing the authority approximately $285 million annually—and facilitate easier access for individuals with disabilities. The new fare gates, exemplified by installations at the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue station in Queens, feature chest-high paddles that open upon fare payment, challenging to hop over and accommodating for wheelchair users. This initiative, focusing on strategic subway system locations, signifies a major shift from the turnstile designs used since 1994, reflecting the MTA’s commitment to modernizing the fare system and ensuring equitable fare payment enforcement.