TAPP Adoption Soars As Majority Of PATH Riders Switch To New Payment System – Travel And Tour World

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TAPP has been embraced by over 50 percent of PATH riders, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This milestone highlights the rapid adoption of the new tap-and-go fare payment system, with usage consistently exceeding 50 percent each week. Since its launch seven months ago, PATH has recorded more than 7.6 million TAPP entries.

TAPP, which stands for Total Access PATH Payment, allows passengers to conveniently pay their fare by tapping a contactless debit or credit card, smartphone, or wearable device at select turnstiles. This modern payment method replaces the traditional PATH-issued SmartLink cards and pay-per-ride MetroCards.

During the week of July 1, over 51 percent of PATH customers used TAPP, a trend that remained consistent for the two weeks prior. On average, around 83,000 riders used TAPP each weekday, while weekends saw approximately 58,000 riders adopting the new fare system.

The swift adoption of TAPP among PATH riders aligns with the increasing number of turnstiles equipped with TAPP readers. Out of the system’s 318 standard gates, 172 now accept the new payment option. TAPP-enabled fare gates are available at all PATH stations in both New York and New Jersey, ensuring widespread accessibility for commuters.

“We’re thrilled to see record numbers of PATH riders TAPPing into the most convenient way to pay their fare,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “A majority of PATH customers are now seeing firsthand the efficiency and peace of mind that comes with simply tapping your card, phone or watch and breezing onto your train.”

“As PATH customers have now found out more than 8.5 million times, there is no easier or quicker way to pay your fare than with a simple tap,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “TAPP is one of many investments customers are seeing as we deliver on our commitment to continue to improve the PATH travel experience.”

“The success of TAPP is measured through these key milestones as we modernize fare payment for our customers,” said Clarelle DeGraffe, general manager and director of PATH. “We’ve turned a corner, with more than half of our ridership consistently opting for the new fare system, making their ride more accessible and convenient.”

The TAPP pilot, launched in December 2023, marks the first phase of replacing PATH’s legacy SmartLink and MetroCard fare payment system, which has been in place since 2008. As TAPP is gradually introduced across the system, equipment for SmartLink and MetroCard will remain operational to help customers transition smoothly to the new fare payment method. Existing discounts for SmartLink users will continue and will be available once PATH issues a TAPP fare card.

The new system has garnered widespread acclaim from both customers and industry stakeholders. Recently, TAPP was honored by the Intelligent Transportation Society-New York for its innovation, receiving the 2024 “Project of the Year Award” for outstanding transportation initiatives.