The MTA said riders skipping fares will cost the agency $500 million this year alone because it happens so often.

“Especially when it’s busy, you’ll see people hop over nonchalantly and skip over. I see it a couple times a day to be honest with you,” said Rachel Mullins, a subway rider.

The agency hired a private security firm to help prevent the loss in revenue. 

The MTA said armed guards were placed at MetroCard machines in two Brooklyn stations, the Halsey Street station and the Myrtle Avenue Wyckoff station, to prevent vandalism.

At 12 other stations, unarmed guards have been placed by emergency gates.

The pilot program began six months ago, and the MTA said preliminary results from placing unarmed guards in stations may claw back tens of thousands of dollars in projected losses, but riders still find loopholes at the emergency gates. 

“Once that gate is open, it’s like Black Friday in Macy’s. I’m sorry. Once that gate’s open, the floodgates are open and people come in. So the more we control that gate, the less fare evasion we can have at a station,” said Robert Diehl, the senior vice president of safety and security for the MTA.

On Wednesday afternoon, two unarmed guards at the Myrtle Wyckoff station were standing by the gates. But once they left, riders opened the door for others to avoid the fare.

The extra security didn’t appear popular amongst the New Yorkers NY1 spoke with.

“For fare evasion, I think the armed guards is a bit much, I think it’s a little aggressive, I can see them standing by the turnstiles because that’s where it happen,” said Mullins.

“I feel like it’s not that serious to have all these security guards to stop people from jumping the stile,” said Ke’Mon Chapman, a subway rider.

The MTA said the guards are a deterrent and they will not make arrests, however they may call the police.

The agency said it is still evaluating plans for armed guards at several additional stations.