New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has introduced a new plan worth $77 million to combat subway crime. The MTA has also started installing “spikes” on some turnstiles to prevent fare evaders, who cause the transit agency to lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually in revenue.
The new spike features include metal sheets with sharp edges placed on guardrails between turnstiles to deter fare beaters from using the gate handrails for leverage when jumping.
However, the spikes are not very effective, as evaders can still place their hands on top of the spikes and either jump over them or duck underneath the bars. These spikes have been installed at Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue 59th Street Station, serving the N, R, W, 4, 5, and 6 trains.
New subway turnstile “spikes” are shown in New York City. (FOX 5 NEW YORK)
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Skipping payment is notoriously easy, especially at subway stations without high turnstiles. A rider told the New York Post that the new spikes were “nonsensical and wasteful” and a misuse of funds.
Furthermore, the MTA also spends approximately $1 million per month on private unarmed security guards to deter fare beaters, as reported by Fox 5. However, these guards lack the authority to apprehend those who evade payment.
Hochul’s plan to combat fare evasion includes installing more modern high-rise turnstiles at 40 stations, and it is uncertain if the spike deployment at 59th Street is part of this plan.
Hochul stated that fare evaders cost the MTA around $700 million annually in lost revenue, with $500 million from the subway system and the remainder from the bus system.
“It is time to crack down on these shameless fare evaders who boldly walk through, making others question why they bother to pay,” Hochul said during a press conference at Grand Central, announcing her $77 million plan.
