MTA to Expand New Subway Fare Gates to 20 Stations

New subway gate installations will begin by late 2026 to replace legacy turnstiles and improve station access for commuters.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern subway fare gate in a clean, minimalist transit corridor. — The MTA will expand its modern fare gate installations to 20 subway stations by 2026, targeting reduced fare evasion and improved accessibility. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support installing modern fare gates to improve security and accessibility in your local transit?

The MTA is expanding its installation of modern subway fare gates to 20 additional stations following a pilot that cut fare evasion by 35%. This initiative aims to replace legacy turnstiles installed in the early 1990s with designs that accommodate accessibility needs and deter illicit entries.

Why it matters

The agency is upgrading infrastructure to address revenue losses from fare evasion while modernizing access points for passengers with luggage or mobility needs. Operators should monitor these hardware upgrades as they indicate shifts in transit access and facility security standards across the city.

The MTA pilot across 20 stations saw 29 million entries and 34 million exits, with 40% to 50% of riders using the new gates. Following the 35% reduction in fare evasion, the agency plans to install the hardware at 150 stations total, with the next 20 locations beginning upgrades by late 2026.

The players

MTA

The public authority responsible for managing the New York City subway system and its fare collection infrastructure.

Governor Hochul

The current Governor of New York who oversees state-level transit policy and MTA capital project prioritization.

Cubic

A provider of transportation fare payment and infrastructure technology currently supplying designs for the pilot program.

STraffic

A manufacturer of automated transit gate systems participating in the MTA station modernization pilot.

Conduent

A technology services company providing automated fare collection solutions for public transportation operators.

The details

The MTA tested gate designs from Cubic, STraffic, and Conduent to replace standard tri-wheel turnstiles. These new wide-aisle gates are designed to resolve security flaws where emergency exit gates were used for unauthorized access. The assessment measured operational metrics including throughput, accessibility for passengers with wheelchairs, and maintenance requirements.

Early 1990s: Original tri-wheel turnstiles installed
2024: MTA issued a request for information regarding new fare gates
Autumn 2025: MTA began evaluating the pilot program
October 7, 2026: Governor Hochul commented on gate success
End of 2026: Deployment of new gates expected to begin at 20 additional stations

Market Landscape

The current gate project marks a complete departure from the 1990s-era tri-wheel turnstile configuration that has defined station access for decades. This shift aligns with broader industry trends toward replacing mechanical barriers with high-throughput, accessible electronic gate designs.

Business owners should anticipate improved station accessibility and reduced bottlenecks at high-traffic hubs as these gate lines scale to 150 locations. Monitor station-specific installation schedules to determine if your local foot traffic or employee commute patterns will be disrupted during the construction phase starting at the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The MTA's pivot to wide-aisle gates signals a long-term investment in throughput capacity that will eventually impact how transit-dependent workers access core districts. Operators should track the rollout schedule for the 150 identified stations to prepare for localized access changes during the transition.