PATH Announces Changes to SmartLink Card Sales Effective March 29
Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash
JERSEY CITY, NJ — According to an official update from the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), the agency will discontinue the sale of 1, 10, 20, and 40-trip SmartLink card products for non-Reduced Fare customers starting March 29. The announcement, shared via PATH’s official social media channels, signals a major transition toward the new TAPP (Total Access PATH Payment) system.
Starting March 29, commuters will no longer be able to purchase 1, 10, 20, or 40-trip packages for standard SmartLink cards. This change does not affect Reduced Fare customers, who may continue to use and refill their specialized SmartLink cards as usual while the agency prepares to migrate those programs to the TAPP platform later this year.
Transitioning to TAPP and Ride
The discontinuation coincides with the nationwide push toward contactless “tap-and-go” technology. PATH is encouraging riders to transition to the TAPP card, which is now available at vending machines system-wide and online at TAPPandRide.com.
Unlike the legacy SmartLink system, which required riders to wait up to 48 hours for online refills to synchronize, TAPP utilizes cloud-based architecture. This allows for near-instant balance updates and the flexibility to load any monetary value rather than being restricted to fixed trip increments.
Incentives for Early Adopters
To facilitate the transition, PATH is offering a $5 travel credit to riders who purchase a new TAPP card and register it online. This credit effectively offsets the $5 fee for the physical card. Registered users also gain access to:
- Balance Protection: Security against lost or stolen cards.
- Auto-Reload: Automated funding to ensure the card never runs empty.
- Faster Entry: Compatibility with the new TAPP-specific turnstiles currently being installed across the system.
What Happens to Existing SmartLink Balances?
Commuters who currently have active trips on their SmartLink cards are not required to switch immediately. PATH has confirmed that existing balances will remain valid for travel until they are fully depleted. However, once the March 29 deadline passes, riders will need to adopt TAPP or use contactless bank cards/mobile wallets for future refills.
This policy shift follows the recent sunset of MetroCard sales at PATH stations, signaling a consolidated effort by the Port Authority to move all 200,000 daily riders onto the TAPP ecosystem. Transit officials note that nearly 70% of weekday riders have already embraced contactless payments.
For the latest updates on the phase-out and to manage transit accounts, riders are advised to visit the official TAPP portal.