MTA Installs Spiked Turnstiles to Combat $500M Fare Evasion Crisis

NEW YORK CITY – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has unveiled a new deterrent to combat fare evasion in the New York City subway system: spiked barriers on turnstile handrails. The initiative, rolled out at Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue-59th Street Station, aims to prevent straphangers from using the handrails for leverage when jumping over turnstiles.

Fare evasion costs the MTA approximately $500 million annually, a significant financial burden for the transit agency. In 2023, the MTA introduced new gates designed to stop fare beaters, but a viral TikTok hack revealed that the electric doors could be easily bypassed by swiping a hand over the exit sensor. The latest effort, featuring spiked barriers, is part of a broader strategy to modernize fare gates and improve subway safety.

During her 2025 State of the State Address on Tuesday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized the need for enhanced subway safety measures. Her proposal includes deploying more NYPD officers on trains and platforms, installing new barriers, upgrading LED lighting, and modernizing fare gates at 20 stations this year, with an additional 20 stations slated for 2026.

“The MTA will be installing even more barriers in 100 additional stations,” Hochul said. “Also, bright LED lighting in every station by the end of the year, and the shameless toll evaders, fare evaders, will finally be stopped with modernized gates.”

Despite the new measures, some subway riders remain skeptical. Yolanda, a commuter at the Lexington Avenue-59th Street Station, observed that the spiked barriers might not be effective. “It’s a good attempt, but I don’t think it is going to stop it,” she said. “I have seen people with bare hands grab them and still jump over.”

Patty A., another rider, expressed concern about the potential dangers of the spiked barriers. “I think it looks dangerous,” she said. “I think people will get hurt trying to jump.” She also shared her fears about riding the subway, citing recent incidents of crime and pickpocketing.

In addition to the spiked turnstiles, the MTA plans to install platform edge barriers at over 100 stations by the end of 2025 to prevent accidents and criminal pushes onto the tracks. The agency will prioritize stations with standard car-stopping positions on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M, and L train lines.

To further enhance safety, Gov. Hochul announced a $77 million investment to increase police presence in the transit system. Approximately 750 NYPD officers will be stationed across the city, with an additional 300 officers patrolling train cars. Uniformed officers will also be deployed on every overnight train between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the next six months.

While the MTA’s efforts to curb fare evasion and improve safety are ongoing, the effectiveness of the spiked barriers remains to be seen. As the agency continues to innovate, commuters and officials alike hope for a safer and more reliable transit system.