The Customer Experience and Accessibility Features on Heavy Rail Trains and at Heavy Rail Stations (Red, Orange, Blue Lines)

Please note that any customer has the right to use accessibility equipment (such as elevators, escalators, or mobile bridgeplates).

Access Features At MBTA Rail Stations May Include:

• Accessible parking areas near the station entrance (click here to see if your station offers parking).

• Elevator, escalator, or ramp access (click here to view the access features at your station).

• Signs directing customers to elevators, escalators, and ramps.

• Fare Vending Machines (FVMs) that have an audio function.  (Click here to learn about FVM access features.)

• Wider faregates.

• TTY telephones.

• Bridgeplates that are designed to span the gap between the train and the platform.

• Display screens and automated announcements that inform the customer of a train′s destination, whether the train is approaching or arriving, service delays, and emergency information (click here to hear sample station announcements).

• Yellow tactile warning strip at the platform edge. 

• Improved lighting. 

• High-contrasted markings on stair edges. 

Access Features On Heavy Rail Trains May Include:

• Priority seating for seniors and customers with disabilities (usually located near the doors of the train).  

• Seating areas for those who use wheeled mobility devices. 

• Stop announcement equipment that announce the destination of the train and the intermediate stops made by that train.  (Click here to learn about stop announcements.)

• Display screens on the outside of the train that display the train's destination.

• Display screens on the inside of the train that display the train's destination and all station stops.

What to Expect When Entering An MBTA Station

	To begin your journey on MBTA subway, you will need to first locate a MBTA station. Stations may be identified by the "T" logo or the station's name at the station's entrance. The color code of the line serving the station will be in the background of the sign with the station's name.
	Use elevators, escalators, ramps, or stairs to enter the station.
	If you need to add money to your CharlieCard or purchase MBTA fares, you will need to use the Fare Vending Machine (FVM). Click here for information on using the FVM.
	Make your way to the faregate. To pay your fare, simply tag your CharlieCard to the card target or insert your CharlieTicket into the faregate. The card target and ticket slot are located on the right side of the faregate. If you inserted a CharlieTicket into the faregate, your ticket will be returned to you via a slot located on the top of the faregate nearest you.
	Wider faregates are available for customers who use a wheeled mobility device, parents with strollers, or customers with luggage. If you insert a CharlieTicket into a wider faregate, the CharlieTicket will be returned to you via the same slot in which the CharlieTicket was inserted.

What to Expect When Boarding the Train

	If you need assistance boarding the train, a MBTA staff member can help you.
	If a staff member is not in sight, press the button on the station call box to let a dispatcher know you need assistance.
	Remain behind the yellow tactile warning strip until the train comes to a complete stop.
	Note the train′s destination (the train′s destination can be found on the front and on the sides of all trains and on display screens located on station platforms) to ensure that you are boarding the right train.
Audio: "Attention Passengers. The next Blue Line train to Bowdoin is now arriving."	If you are unable to see the train′s destination, listen carefully to announcements made on train platforms or by the train′s stop announcement equipment. If the train′s stop announcement equipment isn′t working, the train personnel are required to announce the destination of the train.
	Allow customers to exit the train before boarding.
	Watch your step when boarding the train.
	If there is a gap between the train and the platform that makes it difficult for you to board, you may benefit from boarding using the mobile bridgeplate Click here to learn more about how to request and use the mobile bridgeplate when boarding a train.
	Priority seating is usually found near the doors of the train.  Federal Law requires that priority seats be reserved for seniors and customers with disabilities.
	Seating areas for those who use wheeled mobility devices are available on some trains.

During Your Journey

	Pay attention to the stops as they are announced and displayed to ensure that you exit the train at the right stop.
	Under MBTA policy, the Train Attendant is required to announce all station stops on trains that do not have stop announcement equipment or if the stop announcement equipment is not working.

What to Expect when Exiting the Train

	Watch your step when exiting the train.
	If there is a gap between the train and the platform that makes it difficult for you to exit, you may benefit from exiting using the mobile bridgeplate Click here to learn more about how to request and use the mobile bridgeplate when exiting the train.

Notice for Red Line Customers: 

In the direction of travel, customers must exit using the doors on the left to use the elevator at Park Street Station.

What To Expect When Exiting MBTA Stations

	After exiting your train, use signs throughout the station to locate elevators, escalators, or exits.
	Exit through the faregate. Wider faregates are available for customers who use a wheeled mobility device, parents with strollers, or customers with luggage. You will not need your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to exit through the faregate.
	Use signs throughout the station to locate the station's exit.