Can Anything Stop New York Subway Fare Evaders?

Summary

Fare evasion on the New York City subway has reached alarming levels, with nearly half of all riders skipping fares, costing the system billions annually. Despite the installation of new barriers and gates, fare beaters continue to find creative ways to avoid paying, from crawling under gates to using jackets to block sensors. Even a viral 'Fare Evasion Olympics' showcases how easily these measures are outsmarted. Amid growing frustration with subway service, some commuters defend their actions, while authorities dismiss fare evaders as minor nuisances seeking internet fame.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fare evasion is a growing problem across the United States, with New York City being one of the worst-hit areas.
• 😀 It’s estimated that nearly half of all subway riders in New York don't pay their fare, leading to a billion-dollar loss in revenue.
• 😀 New measures are being tested to combat fare evasion, including updated turnstiles and new gates.
• 😀 The new fare gates include paddles to prevent people from jumping over and plastic door gates to block fare evaders.
• 😀 Despite the new security features, many fare evaders are still able to bypass them with ease.
• 😀 At a Times Square station, passengers were seen easily bypassing the paddles by crawling underneath or jumping over them.
• 😀 Some riders use creative methods to dodge the fare gates, such as throwing jackets over sensors to prevent them from closing.
• 😀 Videos of fare evasion hacks have gone viral, including the 'Fare Evasion Olympics,' where participants show off different ways to avoid paying.
• 😀 Some fare evaders justify their actions by pointing to rising fare prices and declining subway service, including issues like homelessness and safety concerns.
• 😀 New York Subway authorities are not concerned with viral fare evasion videos, dismissing them as actions of 'minor league trolls' seeking internet attention.

Q & A

Why is fare evasion such a significant issue in New York City?

Fare evasion is a growing problem in New York City, with estimates suggesting that almost half of all riders don't pay. This results in a loss of up to a billion dollars in revenue for the subway system.

What measures have been implemented to prevent fare evasion?

The subway system has introduced new measures like paddles installed on turnstiles to prevent fare jumpers from climbing over and plastic door gates that are designed to stop riders from slipping through without paying.

How effective are the new paddles and plastic gates in stopping fare evasion?

Despite the new devices, fare evaders continue to find ways around them. The paddles are bypassed by people climbing over, and the plastic gates are often outsmarted by riders who slide through before the gates close or use tricks like covering the sensors.

What viral stunt did fare evaders perform to show the ineffectiveness of the new gates?

A viral stunt was organized where participants in the 'Fare Evasion Olympics' scaled the gates or crawled beneath them on their stomachs to demonstrate how easy it is to bypass the new security measures.

What reasons do some riders give for not paying the fare?

Some riders explain that they don't pay the fare due to the high cost of tickets, which are now $3, and the poor service on the subway, such as delays, overcrowding, and incidents involving homeless people or violence.

What is the 'Fare Evasion Olympics'?

The 'Fare Evasion Olympics' is a stunt where participants perform various acts of fare evasion, such as crawling under gates or throwing objects over sensors, to show how easy it is to bypass the new security devices.

What did the participants do to outsmart the plastic gates?

The participants in the stunt used tactics like crawling underneath the gates, throwing jackets over the sensors to prevent the doors from closing, and timing their movements to sneak through while the gates were open.

How does the New York City subway system respond to fare evasion stunts?

The subway system's spokesperson dismissed the viral fare evasion stunts as minor league trolling, stating that they were not concerned with the actions of individuals seeking attention by stealing rides.

Why do some fare evaders justify their actions despite the new security measures?

Some fare evaders justify their actions by pointing to the rising fare prices and the deteriorating conditions on the subway, including poor service, safety concerns, and the presence of homeless people on the trains.

What impact does fare evasion have on the New York City subway system?

Fare evasion results in a significant loss of revenue for the subway system, estimated to be in the billions of dollars. This loss impacts the funding available for maintenance, improvements, and the overall quality of service.