# Smart Link

> PATH SmartLink was the reloadable contactless fare-card system operated by Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation for travel between New Jersey and Manhattan. Launched in 2007, it supported prepaid trips, unlimited passes, registration and online replenishment. Acceptance ended August 31, 2026, as PATH completed its transition to TAPP.

- **Founded:** 2007
- **Headquarters:** Jersey City, United States
- **Products:** SmartLink Card, Prepaid trips and unlimited passes, Web account and automatic replenishment, Registered-card protection
- **Notable:** Introduced in 2007 as a reloadable tap-and-go alternative to magnetic-stripe QuickCards., Half of daily PATH riders had switched to reloadable SmartLink by the end of 2009, according to the Port Authority’s 2026 retrospective., Supported nearly two decades of PATH fare collection before retirement in 2026.

## Products & services

- **SmartLink Card** — Reusable plastic contactless card with an embedded chip storing PATH fare products; historically carried a $5 card fee. Retired from fare acceptance after August 31, 2026.
- **Prepaid trips and unlimited passes** — PATH trip bundles and 1-, 7- and 30-day unlimited fare products, historically loaded at station machines or online.
- **Web account and automatic replenishment** — Online purchasing, transaction history, card registration and recurring replenishment; automatic replenishment ended June 1, 2026.
- **Registered-card protection** — Replacement of eligible unused trips or pass days after a registered card was reported lost, stolen or damaged, subject to program terms.

## Achievements

- Introduced in 2007 as a reloadable tap-and-go alternative to magnetic-stripe QuickCards.
- Half of daily PATH riders had switched to reloadable SmartLink by the end of 2009, according to the Port Authority’s 2026 retrospective.
- Supported nearly two decades of PATH fare collection before retirement in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — New SmartLink sales and refills ended for most customers on May 31.
- **2026-08** — August 31 was the final day SmartLink was accepted on PATH.
- **2026-10** — TAPP’s rollout page, updated October 22, confirms the transition is complete. SmartLink balance-transfer requests are accepted through February 2027; both cards must be registered.

## Links

- Website: https://www.pathsmartlinkcard.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/port-authority-of-ny-%26-nj/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/PANYNJ
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/portauthorityinfo
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/The-Port-Authority-of-New-York-and-New-Jersey/163303883748463

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/smart-link
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24