MTA fare gates pilot cuts evasion sharply at 20 stations

MTA fare gates pilot cuts fare evasion by 73% at two major stations, with citywide expansion next

New fare gates at 20 NYC subway stations reduced fare evasion by an average of 35% in the first half of 2026, with the Cubic system achieving a 73% drop at Hoyt Street and Nostrand Avenue, according to MTA and Governor Hochul’s office. Over 63 million riders have used the wheelchair- and stroller-accessible gates, which feature sensor and camera verification and soft-closing saloon doors designed to minimize injury, while also deterring unauthorized entry.

This rapid decline follows years of criticism over fare evasion and pressure to secure transit revenue. The MTA launched the pilot with three vendors, Cubic, Conduent, and S Traffic, to test multiple technologies, motivated by both public frustration and a legislative push to support transit finances after heavy pandemic losses. Of the participants, Cubic’s OMNY-driven gates performed best, especially at high-evasion stations, while S Traffic’s model showed only modest impact. Riders recorded increased satisfaction compared to legacy turnstiles and controversial spike additions, but some pointed out remaining vulnerabilities with tailgating.

While the agencies plan to expand these gates to 30 more stations and ultimately 150 citywide, the next milestone is a competitive bid for the main contract between Cubic, Conduent, and S Traffic. The data show technology can cut evasion sharply, but final results will depend on who wins the rollout and whether remaining loopholes are addressed. This newsletter sees the coming contract award as the decision that will determine if the MTA can sustain big gains systemwide.

→ Who actually pays for this?: How the MTA Is Funded

Four more

• City, MTA to launch long-delayed bus camera crackdown on bike lane blockers · Automated camera enforcement (ACE) will finally ticket bike lane blockers as well as bus violators, over three years after state law authorized it and two years after bus-related tickets began. MTA and DOT will start the bike lane pilot using existing bus-mounted cameras, promising faster response than NYPD summonses. (Streetsblog NYC)

• Comptroller DiNapoli expects record $90B Wall Street profits to boost NY budget · Through June, Wall Street profits hit $45.9B, already the best six-month stretch ever reported; DiNapoli now expects the state to reach $90B in annual profits in 2026. This prospect, driven by robust trading and investment banking revenue, could increase state income and business tax collections and help Albany avoid midyear spending cuts. (NY1) → Where does a promise like this actually get funded?: How the NYC Budget Process Works

• NJ Transit to halt weekday Midtown Direct trains for 5 weeks as Portal Bridge cutover finishes · From October 11 to November 14, all Midtown Direct NJ Transit trains will end in Hoboken while a $1.5B project transitions commuting traffic from a 116-year-old bridge to the new Portal North Bridge, for faster 90 mph service after completion. (6sqft) → Service changes start October 11 and run until November 14.

• NYC added safeguards to homeless sweeps, but displaced New Yorkers say property loss continues · Mayor Mamdani reversed his December 2025 pledge to end encampment sweeps by reinstating them in February, after a deadly winter saw 29 cold-related deaths. Despite new policies requiring item cataloguing, reports of lost IDs and medicine persist, fueling City Council scrutiny. (nysfocus.com)

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