MTA to test 'wide-aisle' turnstiles at five stations

[bobtehpanda]

https://nypost.com/2021/11/17/mta-to-test-wide-aisle-turnstiles-at-five-subway-stations/

Quote

Transit officials are testing “wide-aisle” turnstiles for wheelchair users at five stations — while beginning to let all riders enter through some emergency gates, officials said Wednesday.

MTA officials have budgeted $25 million to install the wider gates at over 200 different stations over the next few years, MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said — beginning with five gates at Sutphin Boulevard in Queens, Flushing Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, and Penn Station and Bowling Green in Manhattan.

Arroyo said the new gates will not only let riders in wheelchairs enter through the subway’s turnstiles — but also make it easier for parents with strollers, cyclists and riders with heavy luggage.

Additionally, the MTA has installed tap-and-go payment readers at 240 emergency gates, which any rider can use to pay their fare and enter. Entry via the so-called “slam” gates is otherwise limited to 28,000 people with reduced fare MetroCards, Arroyo said.

He said the MTA is studying the tap-and-pay “slam” gates at five stations to see who is taking advantage of the new entry option.

Riders on wheelchairs can now pay their fares via tap-and-go at 240 emergency gates, according to the MTA.

“These wide-aisle fare gates are not just for people with disabilities,” Arroyo told MTA board members during their monthly meeting. “Wide-aisle fare gates is where we’re headed.”

“A lot more than 28,000 people need access to our system,” he said. “A lot more people need access to our stations for whom a turnstile did not work.”

Personally, I like paddle gates more than turnstiles, so I welcome this development.

[N6 Limited]

They're definitely helpful when you have luggage.

[QM1to6Ave]

Only helpful if the station has working elevators!

[Mtatransit]

Good... not only does it make the turnstile area actually ADA Accessible, the less the door opens the better the probability the MTA collects its fare.

I think systemwide, all of the turnstiles should be replaced with gates like these (but taller), and proof of payment checks on board. 

[biGC323232]

These also might help with the farebeating...It will be a bit harder to jump over those vs todays turnstile....