New York City Subway to expand modern fare gates after successful pilot

New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is expanding a pilot program for modern fare gates after a reported 35% average reduction in fare evasion across 20 test stations. Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA officials noted that the new technology, which includes systems from companies such as Cubic, Conduent, and S Traffic, aims to replace traditional turnstiles to improve accessibility for passengers with strollers, wheelchairs, and luggage.

Following the pilot, the MTA plans to install these gates at an additional 20 stations across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. A subsequent phase will target another 30 stations, with a long-term goal of modernizing access control at 150 stations. This expansion is part of a $1.1 billion state-funded capital plan for 2025-2029.

Data from the pilot indicated varying levels of success among vendors; specifically, Cubic's gates reportedly reduced evasion by 72% at certain high-rate stations. The initiative follows a broader trend in the system where the overall evasion rate dropped from approximately 14% in June 2024 to 10% in December 2024.