MTA reviews multifaceted plan to thwart fare evasion
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Riders swipe or tap and go for a ride on the subway and bus, or at least, that’s how it is supposed to work.
The exit door has become a way not to pay and fare evasion is costing the MTA more than $700 million a year.
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The MTA is fighting it with a multi-pronged approach of equity, education, enforcement, and environment.
Commissioners heard a presentation addressing subway plans at the monthly board meeting by transit staff.
The front lines to prevent fare evasion for the MTA are the exit gates. Three stations have been testing a delayed-opening mechanism that keeps the door closed for 15 seconds.
Once it opens, the agency says people have been making the choice to walk through. It could be expanded to other stations that comply with the fire code.
The MTA reports that the existing turnstiles at 60 percent of stations have been modified to prevent them from being pulled back, which allows people to shimmy through.
Panels are also going up at turnstiles to make jumping more difficult. Monitors have also been stationed at exit gates that have high levels of evasion.
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Some of the turnstile modifications have reduced fair evasion by 20%, according to the agency. The MTA says 60% more tickets are being written for fare evasion.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber makes the case that fare evasion is demoralizing to riders who do pay. “We can’t do this. It’s not the spirit of New York to steal from one another,” he said.
The turnstile of the future is also being designed. Last year, a new model was installed with wider doors that open and close. Larger doors are already planned for future installations.
Meanwhile, bus fare evasion could be as high as 50%. Planners are addressing that in another presentation. Eagle teams have been doing fare enforcement on routes.
On bridges and tunnels, police are also looking for license plate covers and people who have not been paying.
A project to speak to students is being coordinated with NYC Schools.
The MTA is also encouraging New Yorkers who earn 120% above federal poverty guidelines to apply for the fair fares program. That provides half-price MetroCards.
Advocates continue to push for expansion of that program to include more of the working poor.
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