13.11.2026 22:50
In New York City, USA, a new $1.1 billion turnstile system designed to prevent fare evasion on the subway has become a subject of debate. In footage shared on social media, a group of people was seen quickly bypassing the security gates and entering the subway without paying the fare.
New-generation turnstiles developed to prevent passengers from entering stations in the New York subway without paying the fare have come to the agenda with debates over whether they can provide the expected deterrence. In images circulating on social media, a group of people was seen bypassing the new security gates in about 10 seconds and entering the subway for free.
In the footage, there were moments showing passengers trying to pass through the turnstiles using different methods, and some people passing through the gates together with other passengers to bypass fare control. The posts reopened debate over the budget allocated in New York to combat fare evasion in public transportation.
$1.1 BILLION NEW TURNSTILE INVESTMENT
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has allocated a budget of $1.1 billion for new-generation turnstile systems in its investment plan covering the 2025-2029 period. Under the plan, new security gates are targeted to be installed at more than 150 subway stations.
The MTA plans to introduce new gate systems with taller and wider panels, stating that traditional turnstiles make fare evasion easier. Three separate designs developed by different companies are being tested at 20 stations in the first phase.
'FREE RIDE' COMPETITION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
While footage of people bypassing the new turnstiles has been watched millions of times on social media, some content creators have turned these attempts into almost a competition. Social media personality Kiingspiider, who introduces himself as Spider-Man in New York, also came to prominence with videos showing the vulnerabilities of the new turnstiles.
MTA management, on the other hand, described the people sharing the footage as people who do not pay the travel fare in order to attract attention online. The authority argued that the new system has been tested with solutions developed by leading global technology companies and that the practice has generally been received positively by passengers.
FARE EVASION CAUSES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOSSES FOR THE MTA
Fare evasion in the subway and public transportation system in New York is among the significant revenue losses for the transportation authority. According to an assessment published by the Citizens Budget Commission, the MTA's loss due to fare and toll evasion reached approximately $1 billion in 2024.
The new turnstile system is aimed at improving passenger flow and accessibility at stations as well as reducing these losses. However, the images circulating on social media have raised questions about whether the billion-dollar investment can completely prevent fare evasion.