In recent developments, the New York City subway system is undergoing a significant transformation as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) tests modern gate technology aimed at tackling the persistent issue of fare evasion. The stakes are high, with three competing companies vying for a lucrative $1.1 billion contract to revamp the city’s subway turnstiles, which have long been criticized for facilitating fare dodging.
These firms have introduced innovative fare gates featuring tall doors instead of the traditional waist-high turnstiles at ten subway stations over the past two months. This initiative is part of a pilot program that aims to enhance fare security and streamline entry into the subway system.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber shared in his testimony at a state budget hearing in Albany that plans are underway to expand this testing phase to twenty additional subway stations in the near future.
At least two of the contenders in this competition are promoting their designs as incorporating advanced artificial intelligence technology capable of monitoring fare evaders. Cubic, a company known for creating the now-obsolete MetroCard system and the current subway turnstiles, has also developed most of the modern fare gates currently being trialed. However, it has faced criticism from both MTA officials and commuters for the delays and issues associated with the rollout of the MTA’s OMNY tap-to-pay system, which Cubic also designed.
"Cubic has not been an ideal partner and software developer, and we deal with these challenges daily," MTA Chair Janno Lieber remarked during the hearing. "While many of the issues have been resolved, there are still a few remaining glitches we need to address."
In response, Anthony Louh, Cubic’s business development director, expressed confidence that the difficulties experienced during the OMNY implementation have better positioned the company to manage the extensive fare gate redesign project.
The new fare gates are currently under evaluation at high-traffic stations such as Atlantic Terminal, Port Authority, and Hoyt-Schermerhorn, with plans to extend this testing to the 125th Street station on the A, B, C, and D lines shortly.
Equipped with surveillance technology, these gates are designed to automatically notify authorities whenever someone skips the fare. Officials indicated that the equipment features cameras that capture a five-second video clip when an individual bypasses payment, employing artificial intelligence to generate a physical description of the suspected fare evader. This information is then sent directly to the MTA for further action.
However, it’s important to note that two other companies, Conduent and STraffic, are also contending for the same contract and have installed their own advanced fare gates within the subway system as part of the MTA’s pilot program.
Conduent previously implemented similar fare gates in Philadelphia's subway system last year and, like Cubic, claims to utilize its own form of AI technology to gather data on riders who evade fares.
As of now, a representative from STraffic has not responded to inquiries regarding their proposals. MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick stated, "The pilot program is ongoing, and results will be evaluated at the appropriate time, with vendors selected for future fare gate installations."
The ultimate goal for the MTA is to finalize an agreement that will see new entry systems installed at 150 out of the subway’s total 472 stations. Additionally, the MTA is exploring other applications of AI technology throughout the subway network. Just last year, the agency announced it is collaborating with AI firms to introduce software capable of identifying "problematic behavior" among passengers.
