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yesterday

MTA Ratifies $7.3 Million Push to Add Turnstile Spikes and Paddles Across Subway

The board approved an emergency contract with Boyce Technologies following reports of sharp drops in fare evasion at stations already using the deterrents.

These relatively cheap attachments have helped stamp out fare evasion on the subways, according to the MTA.
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Overview

  • The retrofit is in place at 327 of 472 stations, with 129 more slated to be equipped by the end of January, according to agency documents.
  • Transit officials say stations with the metal fins and plastic paddles have seen fare evasion fall by about 60%.
  • The MTA estimates $400 million in subway fare losses this year, and it is separately budgeting $1.1 billion to install redesigned fare gates at 150 stations over several years.
  • Procurement managers said the expansion was initially awarded under an emergency order, prompting board members to question oversight and timing of approvals.
  • Alongside the rapid retrofit, the agency will pilot four new gate designs at 20 stations later this month as it evaluates longer-term replacements.