Governor Hochul Announces Major Progress in Combating Fare Evasion Across MTA
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled significant strides in the fight against fare evasion across the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Over the past six months, from June 2024 through December 2024, subway fare evasion has dropped by 26 percent, while bus fare evasion has decreased by 9.1 percent. These results stem from a comprehensive strategy implemented by Governor Hochul, the MTA, and the NYPD, which includes enhanced enforcement, modernized fare gates, and other targeted measures.
“We’re turning the tide against fare evasion to help protect transit riders and taxpayers and continue strengthening our transit system,” Governor Hochul said. “Our work is far from over – and we’ll continue to crack down on fare evasion this year through strong enforcement and new measures coming to subway turnstiles and fare gates throughout the system.”
The MTA’s efforts have been bolstered by recommendations from it’s Blue-Ribbon Panel report, which highlighted the crisis-level impact of fare evasion. In 2022, the MTA lost an estimated $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls. To address this, Governor Hochul and the MTA have focused on strategic enforcement and modernization, including the installation of new anti-fare evasion measures at all subway turnstiles and the rollout of advanced fare gates at 20 high-traffic stations this year.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber emphasized the importance of collaboration: “Our strategy has been to publicize the seriousness of the problem, to put in place stronger physical barriers, and to make sure there’s plenty of enforcement. we welcome the support we’re getting from Governor Hochul and the NYPD, and also the work that MTAPD is doing on the railroads, and it’s all starting to pay off.”
The NYPD has played a critical role in this effort,issuing 143,100 TAB summonses for subway fare evasion in 2024—a 96 percent increase from 2019. additionally, the NYPD has deployed a new uniformed bus Enforcement Unit to work alongside the MTA’s EAGLE Team, a civilian bus fare inspection unit. The EAGLE Team has been strategically deployed to bus stops and times with the highest concentration of fare evaders, focusing on both education and enforcement.
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow highlighted the broader impact of fare evasion: “Fare evasion undermines the very system that moves New York City and provides essential transportation for our communities. Our team has made real progress, driving down fare evasion for the first time in years. We will continue to explore all measures and means to ensure fare compliance and sustain a system that is equitable for all.”
NYPD commissioner Jessica S. Tisch underscored the importance of safety in these efforts: “This significant decline in fare evasion is a critical first step in our efforts to make the transit system safer for all New Yorkers. Everyone should be able to ride the subway without fear of violence or chaos, and the NYPD will continue to patrol every station and overnight train to ensure that crime continues to decrease across our transit system.”
The progress is undeniable. Subway fare evasion has dropped from 14 percent of riders in June 2024 to 10 percent in December 2024, while bus fare evasion has decreased from 50 percent to 45 percent over the same period. These improvements mark a pivotal shift in the MTA’s ability to combat fare evasion and protect its revenue streams.
| Key Metrics | June 2024 | December 2024 | Change |
|——————————–|—————|——————-|————|
| Subway Fare Evasion rate | 14% | 10% | -26% |
| Bus Fare Evasion Rate | 50% | 45% | -9.1% |
| NYPD TAB Summonses (2024) | 143,100 | N/A | +96% vs. 2019 |
Governor Hochul’s commitment to reducing fare evasion is part of a broader effort to strengthen New York’s transit system and ensure its sustainability for future generations. With ongoing investments in enforcement and infrastructure, the MTA is poised to continue making progress in this critical area.
For more details on the MTA’s Blue-Ribbon Panel report, visit the official MTA website.
MTA’s Comprehensive Plan to Combat Fare Evasion: Modern Gates, Behavioral Campaigns, and More
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is taking bold steps to tackle fare evasion across its subway and bus systems, implementing a multi-pronged strategy that includes modern fare gates, behavioral campaigns, and enhanced enforcement. With a proposed $1.1 billion investment in the 2025-2029 Capital Plan, the MTA aims to install modern fare gates in at least 150 stations by 2025, starting at high-traffic locations like 34 St-Penn Station, Canal St, 161 St-Yankee Stadium, and Jay St-MetroTech.
Modern Fare Gates: A Game-Changer
The MTA has already replaced conventional emergency exit gates with new, accessible wide-aisle gates at key stations, including Atlantic Av-Barclays Center, 34 St-Penn Station, and Astoria blvd. At sutphin Blvd-Archer Av, the introduction of a full array of modern gates led to a 20 percent increase in fare payments compared to 2023.
In December 2023,the MTA released a Request for Information (RFI) to identify the next generation of secure,accessible,and modern fare gates. After evaluating 12 responses from gate vendors, the agency began in-lab testing of promising technologies. By the end of 2025, the MTA plans to conduct in-system testing and implementation at 20 stations, with an additional 20 stations slated for 2026.
Initial installations will prioritize high-ridership stations, those with accessibility features, and locations with high fare evasion rates. Stations like 42 St-Port Authority, Delancey St-Essex St, and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av are among the first to receive these upgrades.
Enhancing the Fare Control Surroundings
The MTA is also making significant modifications to turnstiles to deter evasion tactics. Reconfigurations to prevent back-cocking have been completed at 75 percent of all turnstiles, while turnstile fins have been installed at 20 fare control areas, effectively reducing the number of individuals jumping the turnstile.
A pilot program delaying the opening of emergency exit gates by 15 seconds has proven highly effective, reducing gate evasion by nearly 40 percent. This initiative will be expanded to at least 150 stations in 2025, starting at 34 St-Penn Station, Canal St, 161 St-Yankee Stadium, and Jay St-MetroTech.
Subway and Bus Fare Enforcement
To further combat fare evasion, the MTA has deployed unarmed gate guards across more than 208 subway stations, up from 50 stations. These guards are strategically placed based on data-driven insights into station characteristics and ridership patterns.
On buses, the MTA’s EAGLE Team has been enforcing fare payment at over 370 stops since September 2024. In 2025, the agency will introduce sensors and screens on buses to track and deter fare evasion more effectively.
Behavioral Campaigns and Partnerships
The MTA is also leveraging behavioral change strategies to reinforce the importance of fare payment. Campaigns highlighting the humanity of transit workers and digital signs on buses reminding riders that fares are required aim to reset social norms around fare payment.
A partnership with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) has encouraged student use of OMNY cards, resulting in a 51 percent increase in rides and an 18 percent increase in weekly active rides among students as September.Fraud monitoring ensures that student cards are used only by the assigned students.
Additionally, the MTA has established 15 Customer Service Centers to integrate enrollment in Fair Fares, a program providing eligible New Yorkers with half-fare MetroCards and OMNY accounts, and also the MTA’s Reduced-fare program.
Key Initiatives at a Glance
| Initiative | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Modern Fare Gates | Installation in 150 stations by 2025; $1.1 billion investment |
| Turnstile Modifications | Anti back-cocking at 75% of turnstiles; fins installed at 20 fare controls |
| Emergency Exit Gate Delay | 15-second delay rollout at 150 stations in 2025 |
| Gate Guards | Deployed at 208 subway stations |
| EAGLE Team | Enforcing bus fare payment at 370 stops since September 2024 |
| Behavioral Campaigns | Highlighting transit workers; digital signs on buses |
| NYCPS Partnership | 51% increase in student rides with OMNY cards |
The MTA’s comprehensive approach to reducing fare evasion combines technological innovation, strategic enforcement, and community engagement. As these initiatives roll out, the agency aims to create a fairer, more efficient transit system for all New Yorkers.
Gates, Behavioral Campaigns, and More
Teh Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is taking bold steps to tackle fare evasion across its subway and bus systems, implementing a multi-pronged strategy that includes modern fare gates, behavioral campaigns, and enhanced enforcement. With a proposed $1.1 billion investment in the 2025-2029 Capital Plan,the MTA aims to install modern fare gates in at least 150 stations by 2025,starting at high-traffic locations like 34 St-Penn Station,Canal St,161 St-Yankee Stadium,and Jay St-MetroTech.
Modern Fare Gates: A Game-Changer
The MTA has already replaced conventional emergency exit gates with new, accessible wide-aisle gates at key stations, including Atlantic Av-Barclays Center, 34 St-Penn Station, and Astoria Blvd. At Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av,the introduction of a full array of modern gates led to a 20 percent increase in fare payments compared to 2023.
In December 2023, the MTA released a Request for Information (RFI) to identify the next generation of secure, accessible, and modern fare gates. After evaluating 12 responses from gate vendors, the agency began in-lab testing of promising technologies. By the end of 2025, the MTA plans to conduct in-system testing and implementation at 20 stations, with an additional 20 stations slated for 2026.
Initial installations will prioritize high-ridership stations, those with accessibility features, and locations with high fare evasion rates. Stations like 42 St-Port Authority, Delancey St-Essex St, and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av are among the first to receive these upgrades.
Enhancing the Fare Control Surroundings
The MTA is also making important modifications to turnstiles to deter evasion tactics. Reconfigurations to prevent back-cocking have been completed at 75 percent of all turnstiles, while turnstile fins have been installed at 20 fare control areas, effectively reducing the number of individuals jumping the turnstile.
A pilot program delaying the opening of emergency exit gates by 15 seconds has proven highly effective,reducing gate evasion by nearly 40 percent. This initiative will be expanded to at least 150 stations in 2025, starting at 34 St-Penn Station, Canal St, 161 St-Yankee Stadium, and Jay St-MetroTech.
Subway and Bus Fare Enforcement
To further combat fare evasion, the MTA has deployed unarmed gate guards across more than 208 subway stations, up from 50 stations. These guards are strategically placed based on data-driven insights into station characteristics and ridership patterns.
On buses, the MTA’s EAGLE team has been enforcing fare payment at over 370 stops since September 2024. In 2025, the agency will introduce sensors and screens on buses to track and deter fare evasion more effectively.
Behavioral Campaigns and Partnerships
The MTA is also leveraging behavioral change strategies to reinforce the importance of fare payment. Campaigns highlighting the humanity of transit workers and digital signs on buses reminding riders that fares are required aim to reset social norms around fare payment.
A partnership with New York City public Schools (NYCPS) has encouraged student use of OMNY cards, resulting in a 51 percent increase in rides and an 18 percent increase in weekly active rides among students as of September. Fraud monitoring ensures that student cards are used only by the assigned students.
Additionally, the MTA has established 15 Customer Service Centers to integrate enrollment in Fair Fares, a program providing eligible New Yorkers with half-fare MetroCards and OMNY accounts, and also the MTA’s Reduced-fare program.
Key Initiatives at a Glance
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Modern Fare Gates | Installation in 150 stations by 2025; $1.1 billion investment |
| Turnstile Modifications | Anti back-cocking at 75% of turnstiles; fins installed at 20 fare controls |
| Emergency Exit Gate Delay | 15-second delay rollout at 150 stations in 2025 |
| Gate Guards | Deployed at 208 subway stations |
| EAGLE Team | Enforcing bus fare payment at 370 stops since September 2024 |
| Behavioral Campaigns | Highlighting transit workers; digital signs on buses |
| NYCPS Partnership | 51% increase in student rides with OMNY cards |
The MTA’s extensive approach to reducing fare evasion combines technological innovation, strategic enforcement, and community engagement. As these initiatives roll out, the agency aims to create a fairer, more efficient transit system for all New Yorkers.
