The mayor has taken a strong interest in enforcing fare collection at the city’s transit stations.
Writing in Curbed, Clio Chang describes the new gates installed by the MTA at one Queens subway station as a pilot project to test their efficacy at preventing fare evasion. The design was recommended in an MTA Blue-Ribbon Panel report released in May.
According to Chang, the new gates, which are “a trial balloon in a wider campaign against fare evasion, a pet obsession of the mayor’s,” are also “significantly wider and easier for bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs to move through.” But “As is the case with all new tech, there are design glitches,” and one gate got stuck open during Chang’s visit to the station.
As Chang points out, fare enforcement comes with a cost. “Instead of all of this complicated and expensive work, perhaps public transportation could just be free?”
FULL STORY: The Beginning of the End of the Turnstile
Sound Transit to Start Enforcing Fare Violations This Month
After two warnings, riders who fail to show proof of payment can be issued fines.
New York MTA Makes Five Bus Routes Fare-Free
The state-funded effort is a way to assess how free fares impact ridership.
New York MTA Seeks Federal Funding Relief as Ridership Plummets
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has seen significant ridership drops due to the coronavirus. The agency is asking Congress for $4 billion to help it through the crisis.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
How Community Science Connects People, Parks, and Biodiversity
Community science engages people of all backgrounds in documenting local biodiversity, strengthening connections to nature, and contributing to global efforts like the City Nature Challenge to build a more inclusive and resilient future.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”
Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service