The latest attempt by the MTA to crack down on fare evaders in the subway system seems to have hit a snag. New crescent-shaped metal barriers were installed at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall/Chambers Street station in an effort to deter turnstile jumpers, but it appears that rule-breaking riders are finding ways to easily bypass these barriers.
During a three-hour period, two fare evaders were spotted crawling under the metal shields, while 11 others simply hopped over them. This blatant disregard for the new barriers highlights the ongoing challenge that the MTA faces in combating fare evasion, which costs the transit agency hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Despite the installation of these barriers, which are meant to be four inches high, it seems that they are not proving to be very effective. Riders have been quick to find loopholes in the system, with some even expressing frustration at the perceived waste of taxpayer money on these measures.
When asked about the effectiveness of the new barriers, one rider commented that they could easily go over or under them, signaling a lack of deterrence. The MTA launched an anti-fare evasion campaign in response to the significant losses incurred due to fare beating, with efforts including the installation of spiked metal barriers at other stations.
However, the continued evasion tactics by riders suggest that more drastic measures may be necessary. The Post has called on the MTA to take a more aggressive approach by arresting fare beaters as a more effective deterrent. In the meantime, the MTA has also implemented other measures such as stationing gate guards near emergency exits at over 200 stations in an effort to curb fare evasion.
As the MTA grapples with the ongoing issue of fare evasion, it remains to be seen whether these new barriers will prove to be a successful deterrent or if additional measures will be needed to address the problem. The cost of installing these barriers has not been disclosed by the MTA, and the agency has yet to respond to inquiries about the effectiveness of these new measures.
