MTA's New Turnstile Spikes Fail to Deter NYC Fare Evaders

Despite the installation of metal spikes at a Manhattan station, fare evasion continues to cost the MTA hundreds of millions annually.

The MTA installed spiked metal barriers at the 59th Street/Lexington Avenue subway station to discourage fare evasion, but riders continue to bypass them with ease.
Fare evasion cost the MTA an estimated $800 million in 2024, with approximately $500 million attributed to the subway system alone.
Critics, including some commuters and police officers, have dismissed the spikes as ineffective and a simplistic response to a complex issue.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $77 million plan to address subway crime and fare evasion, including modern high-rise turnstiles at 40 stations and increased police presence.
The MTA has faced ongoing challenges in curbing fare evasion, with previous costly deterrents, such as electronic gates, also proving ineffective.