Subway Fare Evasion Declines by 30% in NYC
CITYWIDE — In an encouraging update from Governor Kathy Hochul, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has reported a remarkable 30% decrease in subway fare evasion from the second quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025. This significant drop reflects the progress of the MTA’s comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing fare evasion and enhancing fare collection across various modes of transport, including subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges, and tunnels.
Over the past two years, the MTA has introduced a range of strategic initiatives focused on four key areas: equity, education, enforcement, and the overall riding environment. A pivotal element in their plan includes the installation of modern fare gates, with three Brooklyn stations—Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, Nostrand Avenue, and Crown Heights-Utica Avenue—selected as pilot sites for these advanced gates.
Additionally, the MTA has adopted systemwide modifications to turnstile implementations, such as the installation of delayed egress systems on emergency exits at 70 stations, and the introduction of turnstile sleeves and fins. These measures reportedly led to a 60% reduction in turnstile jumping, a common form of fare evasion, coupled with the deployment of gate guards for added enforcement.
The authority has shortlisted four vendors to provide and test these innovative gates, including Conduent, Cubic, Scheidt & Bachmann, and STraffic. The MTA aims to finalize its decision on the types of gate technologies to be used after the pilot tests, representing a significant step toward modernizing fare collection and curtailing fare evasion in New York City’s transit system.
