Target-Hardening at a New York City Subway Station: Decreased Fare Evasion: At What Price? (From Preventing Mass Transit Crime, P 117-132, 1996, Ronald V. Clarke, ed. - See NCJ-168781)

• NCJ Number: 168784
• Author(s): R R Weidner
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The installation of high-wheel turnstiles in a New York City subway station was evaluated with respect to its effect on the incidence of fare evasion.

Abstract

The changes to floor-to-ceiling turnstiles were made in May 1991 at 110th Street and Lexington Avenue. These turnstiles made most forms of fare evasion impossible. The research used data on ridership, summonses, and arrests at this station and two adjacent stations without the new turnstiles. Results suggested that the new high-wheel turnstiles were somewhat effective in reducing fare evasion. However, the approach was not an unqualified success in terms of stemming loss revenue or enhancing riders' perceptions of safety. Forty-four percent of the riders surveyed disapproved of the turnstiles. Further research is needed to determine whether less obtrusive efforts such as the Station Manager Program may be sufficient to control fare evasion. Figures, tables, notes, and 14 references (Author abstract modified)