The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services, the T’s operating and maintenance partner for the commuter rail, recently announced that the installation of the commuter rail fare gates at South Station has been completed. The fare gates began phasing into operations on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Passengers will need to tap or scan their ticket or pass to exit and to enter the track area at South Station. Conductors will still check tickets on board trains to verify travel zones.  

Passengers can use the following to enter and exit the gates: the mTicket app, CharlieCards, CharlieTickets with printed zones, $10 weekend paper tickets, Amtrak tickets, and active military IDs. Reduced fare passengers must still buy a ticket or pass (at a reduced rate). Stored value CharlieCards used for the bus and subway are not accepted at commuter rail fare gates.  

“Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll and with support from the Legislature, we have been improving and delivering improved, safe, and more reliable service. The new fare gates at South Station — one of the busiest travel hubs in the Northeast — are another demonstration to our riders that we are committed to ensuring fares are collected and reinvested into the transit system to better serve the public," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng.

“The debut of the fare gates at South Station is another major step forward in transforming commuter rail fare collection,” said Keolis General Manager and CEO John Killeen. “Combined with upgrades to on-board sales and record conductor scans, Keolis is collecting more commuter rail revenue than ever before on behalf of the MBTA. I would like to thank all of our crews who worked to get the fare gates installed and operational.”

Accessible Fare Gates and Consistent Payment

The South Station fare gates layout includes 40 gates installed around the concourse, including 11 wider, accessible gates that provide sufficient room for wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, luggage, and strollers.  

According to a release, the gates will improve fare collection, replace platform ticket checks, and create a “more consistent fare-paying experience” for passengers. The design and configuration of the fare gates were developed to align with recent station improvements and build on the successful implementation of gates at North Station, where passengers have tapped tickets or passes 14 million times since gates opened in 2022. The design also adheres to industry standards and global best practices for fare collection.

Fare gates are also planned to open at Back Bay Station and Ruggles Station in 2026.