Gate with magnetic stripe reader


This section should be read in conjunction with the following sections:

  • Passive gate or turnstile which describes the general technology, application and benefits / cautions of gates and turnstiles;
  • Magnetic-stripe ticket, which describes the technical and application aspects of magnetic stripe tickets; and
  • Magnetic-stripe reader, which describes the technology aspects of magnetic-stripe ticket readers, and how they are used in practice.  

This section only considers the specific aspects associated with use of magnetic-stripe readers with gates and turnstiles.

Gates or turnstiles can be linked to a magnetic-stripe reader for inspection, validation and fare collection purposes. The magnetic-stripe reader functions broadly in the same way as described in the section Magnetic-stripe reader. The difference is in how it is configured, and hence how the unit is packaged. There are two main approaches:

  • The magnetic stripe reader is embedded in the gate or turnstile. The reader has a motorized unit to draw the ticket into the reader and return it to the customer. In many cases, the exit slot for the ticket is towards the gate or turnstile so that the customer continues to move forward (in anticipation of ticket acceptance and gate opening), thus speeding up the total passenger time and gate/turnstile throughput.
  • The magnetic stripe reader is a stand-alone unit, with a cable connector to the gate / turnstile release mechanism. Quite often, the reader will be the same type of unit as used in vehicles and platforms where there are not gates or turnstiles. This makes it easier for customers since the means of use and ergonomics are the same no matter where they use their ticket. It also makes the system implementation and management easier, since there are not more different devices.

Stand-alone magnetic-stripe readers are often used where:

  • the gates are older and could not easily accept an integrated magnetic stripe reader unit; or
  • the gates are designed for smart cards, and a means of accepting the residual magnetic stripe tickets is required.

Benefits of gates and turnstiles with magnetic stripe readers (relative to passive gates or turnstiles) are:

  • The gates can accept magnetic stripe tickets, and hence support a wide range of fare products
  • When correctly used, can facilitate rapid customer throughput
  • Facilitates secure, unmanned gates and turnstile control of access to the transit system.
  • Cash is removed from the system.
  • Full transaction data is generated.
  • When tickets are validated on exit as well, the correct tariff can then be calculated, thus eliminating opportunities for overriding.
  • In transit systems which have switched to smart-cards, this provides a means of continuing to accept magnetic-stripe tickets.

Cautions with regard to gates and turnstiles with magnetic-stripe readers (relative to passive gates or turnstiles) are:

  • For new gates or turnstiles, the components and technology are more complex, with challenges of electronics and software.
  • For existing gates, additional components must be purchased, integrated and installed. This can present significant challenges where the gate did not have provision for interfacing with machine readable card accepters, or had limited processing power and memory.
  • Cost will be relatively high, whether the it is a new gate or retrofitted.
  • The technical cautions with regard to magnetic stripe readers apply.
  • Additional maintenance requirements.
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