JERSEY CITY, NJ —
August 05, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Port Authority confirms SmartLink no longer accepted starting Sept. 1; TAPP becomes only physical card.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will stop accepting SmartLink cards on PATH trains starting Tuesday, September 1, as the transit agency completes its transition to the TAPP system. Commuters are urged to use remaining balances or transfer them before the deadline.
This change affects thousands of daily commuters in Hudson County who rely on PATH. The shift is part of a broader move to modernize fare payment, with 96% of riders already using tap-to-pay or TAPP cards.
SmartLink cards will no longer be accepted after Monday, August 31, according to Port Authority officials. MetroCards were already phased out in 2025.
The TAPP card, introduced in December 2023, can be reloaded via contactless credit/debit cards or digital wallets and is now the only accepted physical card. Riders can also pay by tapping directly at turnstile screens.
“From coins to tokens to paper tickets and then to durable cards with embedded chips, each change has been an embrace of new technology to make it easier to ride with us,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole in a press release.
Impact: Commuters with remaining SmartLink balances must contact the TAPP Customer Service Center at 800-234-7284 by February 2027 to transfer funds. TAPP cards are available at vending machines at every PATH station or online at TAPPandRide.com.
What Happens Next: The Port Authority advises riders to use up balances before September 1. PATH also recently introduced new system maps and seven-day service on all lines.
PATH riders in Jersey City and beyond should prepare for the final transition to digital payments as the agency continues modernizing its fare system.
Source: Hoboken Girl
