The pilot project launched at Manhattan’s 59th Street-Lexington Avenue station, servicing the N, R, W, 4, 5, and 6 lines. The barriers feature metal spikes designed to prevent people from using handrails to jump over turnstiles. But early observations suggest limited success. “I see fare evasion all the time. People will find a way,” said Veronica Pisani, a Bronx resident who commutes daily. Observers witnessed multiple people bypassing the barriers through alternative methods. The financial stakes are significant – fare evasion costs the MTA an estimated $500 million annually. This follows a 2023 initiative where $700,000 electronic panel doors proved … Continue reading MTA’s Spiked Turnstiles Fail to Curb Fare Evasion, $800M Lost