In a move that could reshape the future of New York City's transit system, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is currently testing innovative subway gates equipped with artificial intelligence technology to combat the ongoing issue of fare evasion. This initiative has sparked intense competition among three companies vying for a substantial $1.1 billion contract aimed at redesigning the city’s subway turnstiles, which have long been criticized for their inability to stem rampant fare dodging.
Over the past couple of months, these firms have implemented new fare gate prototypes—each featuring tall doors rather than traditional waist-high turnstiles—at 10 selected subway stations as part of a pilot program. The MTA Chair, Janno Lieber, announced during a recent state budget hearing in Albany that this pilot phase is set to broaden, reaching 20 additional subway stations in the near future.
At least two of the competing companies have highlighted their use of AI technology, which is designed to track individuals who evade paying their fares. Cubic, the firm behind both the outdated MetroCard system and the existing subway turnstiles, has also developed most of the modern fare gates currently being tested. However, it has faced significant criticism from both MTA officials and subway riders due to delays and technical issues related to the rollout of the MTA’s new OMNY tap-to-pay system, which Cubic also designed. "Cubic has been far from an ideal partner when it comes to software development, and we encounter these problems daily," Lieber remarked during the hearing. "While we believe most issues have been resolved, a few remaining kinks are still being addressed."
In light of the challenges experienced with the OMNY implementation, Anthony Louh, Cubic’s director of business development, expressed confidence that these obstacles have better equipped the company to handle the expansive fare gate redesign project.
The newly designed gates are undergoing trials at high-traffic stations such as Atlantic Terminal, Port Authority, and Hoyt-Schermerhorn, with plans to extend their installation to the 125th Street station on the A, B, C, and D lines as soon as next week. These advanced gates utilize surveillance technology capable of automatically alerting authorities whenever a fare evader is detected. According to officials, the gates are outfitted with cameras that capture five-second video clips of individuals bypassing the fare, utilizing AI to generate a physical description of the suspected fare dodger, which is subsequently sent directly to the MTA.
However, Cubic is not alone in this competitive landscape. Conduent and STraffic are also contending for the same lucrative contract, each having installed their own designs of modern fare gates within subway stations as part of the MTA's pilot program. Conduent previously introduced similar fare gate technology in Philadelphia's subway system last year and claims to leverage its own AI solutions to gather data on fare evaders.
Meanwhile, representatives from STraffic did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding their specific proposals. In a statement, MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick clarified, "The pilot program remains active, and results will be assessed at an appropriate time, with selected vendors to provide fare gates for future installations."
The MTA has ambitious plans to install these updated entry points at 150 out of the city’s 472 subway stations. Furthermore, the agency is exploring additional applications of AI technology within the subway system. Last year, it announced partnerships with AI companies to develop software capable of identifying and flagging "problematic behavior" among passengers.
But here's where it gets controversial: While many view these advancements as a necessary step towards improving fare compliance and enhancing security, others question the implications of increased surveillance and the potential for misuse of technology. What do you think? Is the push for smarter subway gates a positive change for NYC's transit system, or does it raise concerns about privacy and data collection? Share your thoughts in the comments!
