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move is part of a $1.1 billion contract up for grabs, with three companies fiercely competing to redesign the city’s outdated turnstiles. And this is the part most people miss: these aren’t your average gates—they’re tall, door-like structures 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 companies claim their designs use AI to track and identify fare evaders, raising questions about privacy and surveillance. 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 MetroCard and current turnstiles, hasn’t been a perfect partner. We ride them every day, all day.”
Cubic’s OMNY tap-to-pay system, for instance, faced significant delays and bugs during its rollout, frustrating both officials and riders. Yet, the company argues these challenges have better prepared them for the fare gate redesign. Their new gates, currently tested at high-traffic stations like Atlantic Terminal and Port Authority, feature surveillance cameras that record five-second clips of fare evaders. The AI then generates a physical description of the suspect, automatically sending it to the MTA. But is this a step too far? Does the benefit of reducing fare evasion outweigh potential privacy concerns?
Cubic isn’t alone in the race. Conduent and STraffic are also vying for the contract, with Conduent already having installed similar AI-powered gates in Philadelphia’s subway system. STraffic, however, has remained tight-lipped about their proposals. The MTA plans to review the pilot results before selecting a vendor to install new gates at 150 of the subway’s 472 stations.
But the MTA’s AI ambitions don’t stop at fare evasion. Last year, the agency announced plans to deploy AI software to detect “problematic behavior” among riders—a move that has sparked both praise and criticism. While some see it as a way to enhance safety, others worry about over-policing and bias in AI systems. Is this the future of public transit, or a slippery slope toward surveillance? Weigh in below—what’s your take on AI in the subway?
