The MTA rolled out its third and final fare gate design this week at the 23rd Street-Baruch College station on the 6 line, marking the latest attempt to stem fare evasion that costs the transit agency millions in lost revenue each year.
The new gates, part of a pilot program testing different designs across the subway system, feature taller barriers and updated technology aimed at preventing turnstile jumping — a practice that MTA officials say has become increasingly common since the pandemic.
“We’re testing these different models to find the most effective solution for reducing fare evasion while maintaining accessibility and rider flow,” an MTA spokesperson said. The agency has not yet released specific data on fare evasion rates at the test locations.
The 23rd Street station joins two other locations in the pilot program, each featuring different gate designs. The MTA began testing the first model earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on fare evasion that has included increased enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
Fare evasion has emerged as a significant financial concern for the MTA, which faces ongoing budget pressures and ridership that remains below pre-pandemic levels. Agency officials estimate that fare evasion costs the system tens of millions of dollars annually, money that could otherwise fund service improvements and maintenance.
The new gates at the Gramercy-area station feature higher barriers designed to make jumping more difficult, along with updated sensors that officials say will better detect when someone attempts to enter without paying. The design also includes features aimed at maintaining accessibility for riders with disabilities and those carrying luggage or strollers.
Riders at the station expressed mixed reactions to the new equipment. Some welcomed the effort to ensure all passengers pay their fair share, while others questioned whether the investment would meaningfully address fare evasion or simply push the problem to other stations.
“It’s frustrating when you pay every day and see people just jumping over,” said Maria Rodriguez, a daily commuter who uses the 23rd Street station. “But I’m not sure these gates will really stop people who are determined not to pay.”
The pilot program comes as the MTA faces broader operational challenges and continues working to restore full ridership levels. Transit advocates have called for addressing the root causes of fare evasion, including poverty and accessibility issues, rather than focusing solely on enforcement.
Each of the three gate designs being tested takes a different approach to the fare evasion problem. The MTA has not disclosed the cost of the pilot program or provided a timeline for when it will decide which design to implement systemwide.
The agency plans to collect data on fare evasion rates, rider flow, and accessibility at each test location before making a final decision on which gate design to deploy more broadly. Officials said they will also consider maintenance costs and reliability when evaluating the options.
Fare evasion enforcement has become a contentious issue in recent years, with some advocates arguing that aggressive policing of turnstile jumping disproportionately affects low-income riders and communities of color. The MTA has sought to balance enforcement with efforts to address underlying causes of fare evasion.
The 6 line, which runs from the Bronx through Manhattan’s East Side, carries hundreds of thousands of riders daily and serves major destinations including Union Square, Grand Central, and the Upper East Side. The 23rd Street-Baruch College station serves the Gramercy Park neighborhood and Baruch College students.
Transit officials said they chose the test locations based on factors including ridership levels, fare evasion rates, and station configuration. The pilot program is expected to run for several months before the MTA makes a decision on systemwide implementation.
The fare gate testing represents just one part of the MTA’s broader efforts to address budget challenges and improve system reliability. The agency continues to grapple with reduced fare revenue compared to pre-pandemic levels, even as ridership has steadily increased over the past two years.
MTA board members are expected to review preliminary data from the pilot program at upcoming meetings, though no specific timeline has been announced for when a final decision will be made. The agency has said it will consider rider feedback and operational data when selecting a final design.
For now, riders at the 23rd Street station will continue to serve as test subjects in the MTA’s latest experiment to balance fare enforcement with smooth passenger flow — a challenge that has vexed transit agencies worldwide as they work to maintain revenue while serving diverse ridership needs.
