New Fare Gates At North Station Aim To Stop 'Fare Avoidance'

BOSTON, MA — A big change is coming for commuter rail riders at North Station — and soon at South Station and Back Bay.

On Saturday, new electronic fare gates will be installed at North Station. The gates will require commuter rail riders to scan a ticket to enter and exit the train platform. The new gates are an attempt to tamp down on "fare avoidance," according to the MBTA.

The gates "will streamline commuter rail fare collection and deliver on our commitment to preventing fare avoidance on the commuter rail system," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in a news release.

The gates will be similar to what riders encounter when entering the subway. Riders will swipe, tap or scan tickets to unlock the gate to get to the platform. Riders will also need a ticket to exit the platform — so if you arrive at North Station without a ticket, you'll have to buy one to get out of the station.

Commuter rail users will still have to keep their tickets handy while riding the train so conductors can check for the correct zone, according to Keolis, the company that runs commuter rail trains for the MBTA.

North Station will get 30 gates, including ones large enough for wheelchairs, bikes and luggage. The MBTA plans to install gates soon at South Station and Back Bay.