New York MTA’s controversial metal shields: “we lose $500 million a year in fare evasion”

New higher metal shields on top of the turnstiles at a Manhattan subway station (Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall/Chambers Street) is the latest effort from the MTA to prevent passengers travelling without paying a fare.

Fare evasion in the New York subway is a perennial problem apparently costing the city almost $500 million per year.

The head of New York City Transit, Demetrius Crichlow, told a local news outlet that it remains a “constant battle” to get patrons to pay to use the subway.

“They would pay it for anything else, but they just do not want to pay it for the fare,” he said.

Recent barrier improvements in a series of subway stations have contributed to a reduction in subway fare evasion, dropping over 25% from June through to December of last year.

“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,” MTA CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement at the time.

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