How much to fare evasion are Brooklynites contributing to?

Train stations where the MTA has "gate guards" and NYPD officers deployed, fare evasion was far and few between.

Julia Joseph

Nov 21, 2024, 3:39 AM

Updated 10 days ago

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News 12 wanted to find out how much fare evasion Brooklyn residents were contributing to.
It found that train stations where the MTA has "gate guards" and NYPD officers deployed, fare evasion was far and few between.
However, it was the opposite at stations with no, or little, security in sight.
Anyone who has ridden on a New York City subway might be familiar with the act.
Some people hop the turnstiles to avoid paying the fare.
Others simply bust open the emergency gates, and sometimes even hold it open for their fellow subway riders to avoid paying the $2.90 toll.
This act, in particular, the MTA recently called "a superhighway to fare evasion," and it is something they are actively trying to combat.
On Wednesday, News 12 went to three different L train stations - Myrtle-Wycoff, Sutter Avenue and Canarsie Rockaway-Parkway.
At Myrtle-Wycoff and Sutter Avenue, News 12 witnessed little fare evasion.
However, in Canarsie, it was a different story. In less than 10 minutes, News 12 crews witnessed over 30 people walking around the turnstile, something many Brooklyn residents say is easy to do, with the station's design.
There are many New Yorkers who do pay their fare, saying "it's the right thing to do."
The MTA stated this week that it is continuing to "strategically deploy" gate guards at stations around the city, as it needs riders to pay their fares, in order to "keep the city moving."