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Commuter Rail Station Fare Gates

Rider using tappable ticket on new fare gate in North Station
Rider using tappable ticket on new fare gate in North Station (September 2022)

On October 1, 2022 new electronic fare gates began operation on North Station’s concourse and tickets will now be required to enter and exit this gated area. 

This improvement is part of the Commuter Rail’s fare gate program that will ultimately include gates at North, South, and Back Bay stations.

Installing fare gates at Commuter Rail hub stations prepares for the MBTA’s systemwide Fare Transformation program. The new gate system will let us better integrate the Commuter Rail’s network and ticketing system with those of the T’s other transit modes, and provide the following rider benefits:

  • No more platform-door ticket checks
  • Improves fare collection
  • A more consistent fare-paying experience across transit modes

Learn more about the MBTA’s Fare Transformation program

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

How to Use the Fare Gates

The gates function similarly to our subway gates, except that Commuter Rail and Amtrak tickets and passes must be verified when riders enter and exit at the North Station Commuter Rail concourse.

Tickets bought onboard by inbound riders to North Station may use their onboard tickets to re-enter and exit the station.

Download a guide to the new fare gates in your preferred language:

How Fare Gates Will Impact Your Trips

The new fare gates will have little impact on your trips. Gate installations are designed to accommodate even greater numbers of T riders than before the pandemic, so they shouldn't slow movement through the station.

In case of an emergency, the gates will open automatically to allow passengers and staff to leave the station.

Here are some key things to know:

  • Traveling through North Station is different with the new gates. Riders tap, scan, or swipe their tickets or passes when they enter or exit the station.
  • You still need to show your ticket to conductors on board who will verify your ticket zone.
  • You must keep your ticket with you to exit North Station's concourse area. Riders who arrive without tickets must purchase them through the mTicket app or from a staff member stationed at the gates.

North Station Gate Layout

Design and configuration of the fare gates at North Station was done with riders' needs in mind, and involved many steps, including:

  • Observing and analyzing riders' behaviors and pre-pandemic movements through stations
  • Consultations with mobility specialists
  • Modeling exercises that led us to maximize functionality

The resulting layout features 30 gates installed around the concourse area, including nine wider, accessible gates that allow sufficient room for wheelchairs, scooters, luggage, and strollers.

South and Back Bay station configurations are still in development. Each station’s gate layout will differ to accommodate the unique passenger flow and dynamics of the station. We'll provide updates as they become available.

Share Your Feedback

We're asking the public to help guide our decisions as we roll out the Fare Transformation project over the next several years.

Find out how to get involved

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

Share Your Feedback

We're asking the public to help guide our decisions as we roll out the Fare Transformation project over the next several years.

Find out how to get involved