Accessible Services
Double-Decker Commuter Rail Train

The Customer Experience & Accessibility Features on Commuter Rail Trains







Reminder Please note that any customer has the right to use accessibility equipment (such as ramps, mini-high platforms, and mobile bridgeplates). 

Access Features On Commuter Rail Trains May Include:

  • Priority seating for seniors and customers with disabilities on all trains (usually located at the front and rear ends of each car).
  • Areas for those who use wheeled mobility devices located at the front and rear ends of each car.
  • Accessible restrooms


What to Expect When Boarding the Train:

South Station train departure board. Click to enlarge.
  • To begin your journey on commuter rail, you will first need to locate your train. Commuter rail trains are identified by their final destination (such as the Needham Line or the Worcester Line). Some stations have multiple platforms--each of which is numbered. Commuter rail trains do not always board customers from the same track every time. Therefore, customers are reminded to consult a commuter rail schedule for your desired line, electronic information boards and/or station announcements to determine the departure time and location of your train.
Customer walking on train platform. Click to enlarge.
  • Proceed to the appropriate platform.
Customer at Customer Services kiosk in South Station. Click to enlarge.
  • If you are at North, South, or Back Bay station and you require assistance in finding your train, please proceed to the customer services area where they will arrange for a member of staff to assist you.
Mini-High platform. Click to enlarge.
Customers waiting behind yellow line for train. Click to enlarge.
Customer waiting to board train. Click to enlarge.
  • Allow customers to exit the train before boarding.
Conductor asking customer using wheeled mobility device for their destination. Click to enlarge.
Customer using white cane boarding commuter rail train. Click to enlarge.
  • Watch your step when boarding the train. Let the commuter rail conductor know if you will need assistance boarding the train. Remember, any customer has the right to use accessibility equipment (such as ramps, mini-high platforms, and mobile bridgeplates).
Priority seating area on commuter rail. Click to enlarge.
  • Priority seating is usually found near the front and rear of each train car.
Customer showing pass to conductor. Click to enlarge.

During Your Journey:

Conductor making announcement via PA system. Click to enlarge.
  • MBTA policy requires the train conductor to announce all station stops on trains that do not have stop announcement equipment or if the stop announcement equipment isn't working.
Conductor in doorway making announcement. Click to enlarge.
  • Listen carefully to the stop announcements made by the train's stop announcement equipment or by the train conductor to ensure that you exit the train at the right stop.

What to Expect When Exiting the Train:

Customer using white cane to safely exit train. Click to enlarge.
  • When the train reaches your stop, please watch your step when exiting the train.
Conductor assisting customer off of train. Click to enlarge.
  • If you require the use of the mini-high platform to exit the train and if you told the commuter rail conductor your destination, the commuter rail conductor will ensure that the train stops in a spot where you will be able to exit using the mini-high platform (click here to view exiting procedures for customers who use a wheeled mobility device). The commuter rail conductor will assist you in exiting the train if you require assistance.