Fare evasion has long been a thorn in the side of New York City’s subway system, costing the MTA millions annually. But what if AI could be the game-changer? The MTA is now testing cutting-edge subway gates equipped with artificial intelligence to catch fare evaders in the act. This bold move has sparked a high-stakes battle among three companies vying for a staggering $1.1 billion contract to redesign the city’s turnstiles. And this is the part most people miss: these aren’t your average turnstiles—they’re tall, imposing gates designed to deter even the most determined fare-beaters.
Over the past two months, these futuristic gates have been installed at 10 subway stations as part of a pilot program. But here’s where it gets controversial: at least two of the competing firms claim their designs use AI to track and identify fare evaders, raising questions about privacy and surveillance in public transit. The program is set to expand to 20 stations in the coming weeks, according to MTA Chair Janno Lieber, who didn’t hold back during a recent hearing: “Cubic, the company behind the current turnstiles and the troubled OMNY tap-to-pay system, has not been a perfect partner. We ride them every day, all day.”
Cubic’s new gates, currently being tested at high-traffic stations like Atlantic Terminal and Port Authority, feature surveillance cameras that record a five-second clip of anyone bypassing the fare. The AI then generates a physical description of the suspected evader and sends it to the MTA. But Cubic isn’t alone in this race. Conduent, which installed similar gates in Philadelphia, and STraffic are also in the running, each touting their own AI-powered solutions. Conduent’s system uses sensors to collect data on fare evaders, while STraffic remains tight-lipped about its approach.
The MTA’s ambitious plan doesn’t stop at fare gates. They’re also exploring AI to detect “problematic behavior” among riders, a move that has sparked debates about ethics and over-policing. As the pilot program continues, one thing is clear: the future of NYC’s subway system is at a crossroads. Is AI the solution to fare evasion, or does it cross the line into invasive surveillance? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is a conversation that needs your voice.
