Paid area

In rail transport, the paid area is a dedicated "inner" zone in a railway station or metro station barriers, which visitor or passenger requires a valid ticket, checked smartcard or a pass to get in. A system using paid areas is often called fare control. Passengers are allowed to enter or exit only through a faregate. A paid area usually exists in rapid transit railway stations for separating the train platform from the station exit, ensuring a passenger has paid or prepaid before reaching the platform and using any transport service. Such design requires a well-organized railway station layout.

"Your attention please: eating or drinking is not allowed in trains or in the paid areas of stations." (seen here behind a row of ticket gates at Tai Wai Station of Hong Kong MTR)

Ticket gate at Blok M MRT Station of Jakarta MRT with paid area behind it

The paid area is similar in concept to the airside at an airport. However, in most cases entrance to the paid area requires only a valid ticket or transit pass. The exception is in certain cases of international rail travel, where passengers must also pass through immigration control and customs to enter the paid area. Examples include the Eurostar international platforms at St. Pancras railway station and Gare du Nord, Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore, where the only departures are to neighbouring Malaysia, as well as Hung Hom Station, Lo Wu Station, Lok Ma Chau Station and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong.

In some rapid transit systems, passengers are banned from eating or drinking inside the paid area of every station.