Thursday Headlines: That’s Not Fare Edition

Gov. Hochul is touting a 35 percent reduction in fare evasion at 20 subway stations where the MTA has piloted new fare gates — and using the results to accelerate a much larger overhaul of the system’s aging turnstiles.

Hochul announced Thursday that the MTA will begin installing modern fare gates at another 20 stations, with preparation work beginning this month and installation expected to start by the end of the year. The effort is the first phase of a $1.1-billion plan to replace fare-control equipment at 150 stations, eventually reaching stations used by nearly three-quarters of daily subway riders.

“The data is clear,” Hochul said, arguing that the new gates make it harder to evade the fare while providing a better experience for riders.

The pilot stations recorded an average 35 percent decline in fare evasion, according to the MTA, with the biggest reductions at Hoyt St. in Brooklyn and Nostrand Avenue, both of which saw evasion fall 72 percent. The new gates have also been pitched as an accessibility upgrade, providing wider, touch-free entrances for wheelchair users, people with strollers and travelers with luggage.

The next 20 stations include major hubs such as Union Square, Yankee Stadium, 161st Street, Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue, Flushing–Main Street and 72nd Street.

Elsewhere in the Empire State:

• The Erie Canalway Trail near the University of Rochester has reopened after a $3.9 million rehabilitation of a four-mile stretch between Lyell Avenue and Mount Hope Avenue, with new paving, fencing, drainage improvements and accessibility upgrades. (WXXI News)
• Passenger rail advocates and transportation officials gathered in Rochester for a symposium focused on improving Amtrak service and advancing higher-speed passenger rail across the Empire Corridor. (Democrat and Chronicle)
• Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy and Democratic challenger Aaron Gies clashed over renewable energy, Medicaid cuts, immigration, data centers and other issues during a debate in New York’s 23rd Congressional District. (WSKG)
• Democratic 21st Congressional District candidate Blake Gendebien defended his decision not to debate Republican Anthony Constantino, while highlighting rural health care, health insurance costs and shortages of doctors, transportation and EMS workers as key issues in the district. (State of Politics)
• A judge ruled that Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne violated campaign finance law by accepting 10 contributions that exceeded the legal limit, ordering Byrne and his campaign treasurer to reimburse the donors and barring them from accepting future over-limit contributions. (Times Union)
• Albany Common Council members grilled Mayor Dorcey Applyrs’ budget team over a proposed 15 percent property-tax levy increase and accounting errors in the $257 million 2027 budget proposal, including incorrect expenditure totals and cuts that council members said were illegal. (WAMC)
• The Putnam County Legislature is seeking a traffic and speed study for Mahopac’s East Lake Boulevard amid residents’ concerns about speeding, pedestrian safety, heavy traffic and parking. (Mid Hudson News)
• Rockland County Democrats elected James Riley as their new party chairman after his rival withdrew from the race, setting up new leadership for the county organization ahead of the November election. (The Journal News)