Fare evasion: How are unarmed gate guards stopping cheaters in the NYC subways

The MTA started deploying unarmed gate guards across New York City's expansive subway system in 2022 in an effort to shut down a "superhighway of fare evasion" — emergency exit gates.

Since then, the agency has expanded the program as part of a broader effort to enhance safety and deter turnstile-jumpers, which costs the agency around $800 million a year.

MTA officials said that the primary role of guards, all contracted through a private security company called Allied Universal, is to provide a visible security presence that acts as a deterrent to farebeaters.

The guards are deployed to 264 of the 472 subway stations throughout the NYC subway system. They are assigned to work outside emergency exit gates, as farebeaters often walk right through when the door is open for paying customer