Instead of the traditional bar, new turnstiles at the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue subway station in Jamaica, Queens feature gates.
MTA officials are trying out the new design to see if it prevents would-be fare beaters.
The barn door-like gates feature paddles that make it difficult to jump or crawl under, though some critics say it becomes easier to double up and push through on one swipe or tap.
What You Need To Know
- The first full deployment of new fare gates has been installed at the Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue subway station in Jamaica
- The barn door-like gates feature paddles that make it difficult to jump or crawl under, though some critics say it becomes easier to double up and push through on one swipe or tap
- MTA officials say they lost $690 million to fare evasion last year
At Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue, many riders connect to the AirTrain or the Long Island Rail Road, and the design makes it a little bit easier to get through if you have a lot of bags, luggage or a stroller.
The installation of the new fare gates cost the agency about $700,000. It is the first full deployment of the gates following the pilot program at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station in Brooklyn back in March.
New York City Transit president Richard Davey says officials are aware people can double up to beat the fare, but this station and a few others will help the MTA determine if this is an improvement on turnstiles and worth installing across the system.
“You want to be sure that customers going through with luggage or a stroller, that they aren't closing quickly. At the same time, ensuring folks aren't piggybacking, which is something you sometimes see with these kinds of gates," Davey said.
"But we're going to test them, we're rolling them out at a couple other stations. My guess is we probably won't buy this exact product, but fairly close," he added.
The Eighth Avenue-Penn Station A/C/E station will be the second station to get the new setup, which is set to be installed next week.