Region Stockholm has released an evaluation of its year-long pilot project with open gates at the Näckrosen subway station. The experiment, which ran from December 15, 2024 to December 15, 2025, removed traditional ticket barriers and replaced them with payment poles where passengers could tap their tickets.
According to the official evaluation published on March 20, 2026, the open gate environment increased passenger satisfaction regarding accessibility, flow, and the general experience of the station. The system was particularly appreciated by passengers with strollers, luggage, or other special mobility needs, who found the station felt more welcoming and less stressful.
The pilot was conducted at Näckrosen station, which serves approximately 6,400 passengers daily and was selected as a medium-sized station located outside the most congested parts of the public transport network. The evaluation also noted that the open gates did not negatively impact passengers' sense of safety.
However, the report identified concerns about potential increased fare evasion and uncertainty about how period tickets should be validated. The evaluation also showed that ticket usage decreased at the beginning of the pilot period, requiring additional measures to address this issue.
The project was initiated following a decision by the regional council in the 2024 budget, which tasked the traffic committee with conducting a pilot project for a barrier-free subway station.