‘Swing bars’ installed in crime-ridden New York subways as Hochul ramps up police presence

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new $77 million plan to crack down on subway crime, while the MTA also began installing “spikes” at some of its interchanges to stop fare evasion that costs the transit agency hundreds of millions of dollars a year in lost revenue.

The spikes’ new features consist of sharp-edged metal sheets mounted on the guard rail between the pivoting baffles, which are intended to prevent drivers from using the door handles as leverage when jumping.

But the spikes aren’t very sharp, and those running away can still put their hands on top of the spikes and jump over them—or simply duck under the bars. The spikes have so far been installed at the Lexington Avenue 59th Street station in Manhattan, which serves the N, R, W, 4, 5 and 6 trains.

NYC MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER ALLEGEDLY PUSHING PASSENGER ON SUBWAY STOP

Skipping payments is notoriously easy, especially at subway stations that don’t have tall turnstiles. One rider said New York Post the new spikes were “dumb and stupid” and a waste of money.

Additionally, the MTA also spends about $1 million a month on private unarmed security guards to deter thugs, according to Fox 5but the guards have no authority to detain evaders.

Hochul’s fare-avoidance plan focuses on installing more modern elevated turnstiles at 40 stations, and it’s unclear whether introducing the 59th Street jump is part of this plan.

Hochul said fare evasion costs the MTA about $700 million a year in lost revenue. About $500 million of that is on the way subway systemwhile the rest is attributed to the bus system.

“I’m saying it’s time to crack down on the shameless fare evaders who are so brazen that they just walk by and other payers feel like why should I bother,” Hochul said at a Grand Central news conference Thursday announcing her $77 million plan dollars.

New York Governor Announces Increased Surveillance Amid MTA Chaos: Cameras In ‘Every Subway Car’

Overall crime is in decline in the city, Hochul said, but recent high-profile incidents in the transit system have struck fear into everyday strangers.

A Guatemalan illegal immigrant was charged setting the woman on fire and burning to death on a subway train last month, while on New Year’s Eve a man was pushed in front of a moving train but miraculously survived.

There has been an increase in subway violence in recent weeks and Hochul said an additional 750 officers will patrol the subway system on top of the 2,500 already deployed. An additional 300 will be allocated to trains between 9pm and 5am. Those numbers are on top of the estimated 1,000 National Guard troops assigned to the subway system.

“So that basically means we’ve doubled the number of law enforcement personnel New York City subway system in one year,” Hochul said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

New subway edge barriers will also be installed on platforms at more than 100 additional stations by the end of 2025 to prevent rails from falling or being pushed onto the tracks.

The governor also announced funding to install LED lighting at all subway stations throughout the system to increase visibility at all stations.

“Let’s just go back to the basics, they served their purpose,” Hochil said of the barriers. “They are there. If someone wants to stand behind them as the train approaches and it gives you that sense of security that every New Yorker deserves to have.

Hochul also said the 24-hour “Welcome Center” near the terminal stations will be expanded to create space for homeless people.