NYC's New High-Tech Subway Gates Bypassed by Fare Evaders

Despite a $700,000 investment in new sensor gates, fare evasion continues as riders exploit design flaws.

New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has installed new high-tech sensor gates at four major subway stations in an attempt to curb fare evasion, which cost the MTA $690 million in 2022.
The new gates, costing about $700,000 to install, are designed to be more accessible for passengers with luggage, strollers, or wheelchairs, and to deter fare evasion by replacing the old turnstiles with tall metal paddles.
Despite the new design, fare evaders have found ways to bypass the gates without paying, including 'piggybacking' behind paying customers and triggering the exit sensor by leaning over the gate, as demonstrated in a viral TikTok video.
The gates remain open for about five seconds after being triggered, allowing multiple people to pass through on a single fare.
The MTA is still seeking the right gate design to eliminate fare evasion opportunities, and is considering modifications to the current model based on similar designs in Europe.