NYC Tests New Fare Gates to Boost Transit Revenue

MTA installs modern fare gates at 20 stations to address $690 million annual revenue loss

MTA Tests New Fare Gates at 20 Subway Stations

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority began installing modern fare gates at 20 subway stations in December as part of a pilot program to combat fare evasion. The transit agency is testing equipment from four vendors at locations including Third Avenue-138th Street and Port Authority, officials said. Fare evasion costs the MTA an estimated $690 million annually, according to the agency's 2024 fare evasion report.

Pilot Program Addresses Growing Revenue Losses

The MTA announced the pilot program in November 2024 after years of escalating fare evasion challenges. The agency's fare evasion rate reached 15.4% across the subway system in 2024, according to MTA data. Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, said the pilot will help identify the most effective solutions for the subway environment. Officials haven't released the complete list of all 20 pilot stations or the names of the four participating vendors.

Four Vendors Compete in Testing Phase

The pilot program involves a $5 million investment to evaluate different fare gate designs and technologies, according to MTA budget documents. Four vendors are participating, though officials haven't disclosed their names or specific cost breakdowns per station. The new gates will be tested for security effectiveness, passenger throughput during rush hours, and accessibility compliance with federal ADA standards. Eric Goldwyn, a transit researcher at NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management, said fare gate technology has improved significantly in recent years.

Installation Underway With Timeline Unclear

Installation began in December 2024 at initial pilot locations, but officials haven't provided a specific completion date for the testing phase. The MTA will evaluate which fare gate designs work best before making decisions about system-wide implementation, according to an agency spokesperson. Danny Pearlstein, Policy and Communications Director at Riders Alliance, said the MTA must ensure new fare gates don't create accessibility barriers for riders with disabilities, seniors, or those with luggage and strollers.

Riders Should Monitor Stations for Changes

Commuters using the 20 pilot stations can expect to see new fare gates installed in coming months, though the exact timeline wasn't specified. The MTA said it'll release additional details about affected stations before completing the pilot phase. Riders can check the MTA website for updates on station-specific installation schedules. Moovit provides real-time service information for all MTA subway lines and automatically updates when station changes take effect.