The PATH SmartLinkSM Card is a durable, plastic card with an embedded computer chip that keeps track of the number of your available prepaid trips, as well as the number of days remaining on an Unlimited Pass. Trips and passes may be added to the Card at a PATH vending machine in any PATH station or online through a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account. At PATH vending machines, you may purchase trips and/or an Unlimited Pass with a debit or credit card in addition to cash; only debit or credit cards can be used to make purchases online. Since your SmartLinkSM Card is intended for long-term use, it will not expire. Easy to use, convenient, and secure - the PATH SmartLinkSM Card is the smart way to go!

• Web Services Time saving account management features include online purchases via automatic , or one time replenishments among other features.
• Lowest Fares - It provides you with the best discounts available per trip.
• Convenience - The SmartLinkSM Card is easy to use and easy to reload. There is no need to insert or swipe at a PATH turnstile or vending machine, the card never leaves your hand and gets you to your destination faster.
• Security - With registration, a free and optional service for your SmartLinkSM Card, your unused trips and/or days remaining on your Unlimited Pass will be replaced if your Card is ever lost, stolen, or damaged. (See SmartLinkSM Program Terms and Conditions for complete details and information.)
• Durability - The SmartLinkSM Card is a refillable, plastic fare card designed for long-term use.

You may do any of the following to obtain a PATH SmartLinkSM Card:

• Visit the SmartLinkSM Card Dispensers at these PATH stations: Newark, Harrison, Journal Square, Grove St., Exchange Place, World Trade Center, Newport, Hoboken, 14th St., 33rd St. Only cash is accepted as payment for the SmartLinkSM Card at the SmartLinkSM Card Dispensers.
• Purchase one online and receive it in the mail via USPS. Alternatively, you can contact the SmartLink Center at 1-800-234-PATH, option 1, if you would like to arrange to pick up a card purchased online.

PATH Patrons who are 65 years of age or older are eligible for the PATH Senior SmartLinkSM Card, which provides discounted fares. An online application or downloadable mail-in form must be submitted, and approved, to obtain a Senior Card. Those who are unable to complete or access the application form online may pick one up from the brochure racks or from a Passenger Information Agent at any PATH station. If you would like to have the form for the PATH Senior SmartLinkSM Card mailed to you, please send an e-mail request to smartlinkservice@panynj.gov or call 1-800-234-PATH/7284 select the option for Senior SmartLinkSM information.

The SmartLinkSM Card is intended for long-term use and is made of durable plastic with electronic components, including a computer chip. These components enable it to be used without insertion or swiping and provide the means for PATH to offer a variety of convenient and beneficial services to SmartLinkSM Card holders. The fee helps offset the cost of the card and these services - it is a standard industry practice for transit agencies to charge a fee for a smart card.

Yes. SmartLinkSM Card Dispensers issue receipts. Receipts are also available when refilling your card at a PATH ticket vending machine for trip/pass purchases. If you purchase the SmartLinkSM card online, your credit card statement acts as a receipt for the card purchase.

SmartLinkSM holds a maximum of six products, three different types of product with no more than two of any product. As such, SmartLinkSM can hold up to 140 trips: two 40-trip products, two 20-trip products, and two 10-trip products.

Keep in mind, any products purchased on a SmartLink card beyond this limit will remain in a pending status for up to 60 days. If there is no room on the card for the pending product to be added within the 60-day period, the pending product will no longer be available on the card.

SmartLinkSM prioritizes Unlimited Passes over Trips. Trips on SmartLinkSM will not be used until all Unlimited Pass products have been used.

Secure your SmartLinkSM Card as you would cash. Bending, twisting, or perforating the SmartLinkSM Card can damage it and cause it to malfunction. We recommend that you store your Card in a plastic holder designed for Smart Card use. If you do not have a holder please contact the SmartLink Center at 1-800-234-PATH (7284), option 1, and ask to have one mailed to you.

The plastic, credit card-sized PATH SmartLinkSM Card uses radio frequency and "smart card" technology. When presented within one to two inches of the center of the circular target on the PATH turnstiles and vending machines, the target is able to communicate with the card to read and update the information it contains. No personal data is stored on the SmartLinkSM Card itself. This technology is used in transit systems around the world.

No. The electronics within the card are not susceptible to this type of damage.

No. Signing the back of the card is optional.

PATH Senior SmartLinkSM cardholders receive personalized cards. A personalized card has the cardholder's name and photo printed on the back.

The trips that are loaded* on to a SmartLinkSM Card do not expire and can be used as long as your card is valid for use and kept in good working condition.

*Please note:

a) The SmartLink Card can only hold a maximum of six products (three different products and two of each type). Any products above this threshold will not load onto a SmartLink Card until there is room and will remain in a pending status for up to 60 days. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

b) Products purchased online will remain in a pending status for 60 days until the card is tapped in a station and loaded onto the SmartLink Card. Products will automatically be loaded when the card is tapped at a Ticket Vending Machine or on a turnstile when used for entry into the PATH system. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

PATH does not offer such discounts. Fares paid with the SmartLink Card are already discounted when purchasing 10 or more trips.

If you choose to use our free registration service for your SmartLinkSM Card and your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you are eligible for the replacement of the trips/days remaining on the card at the time of notification to the SmartLinkSM Service Center. You may notify the SmartLinkSM Service Center by using the replacement card feature on the website or by calling the SmartLinkSM Service Center at 1-800-234-PATH/7284 and select option 1 for SmartLinkSM . Please note, a $5.00 card replacement fee will be charged. See SmartLinkSM Program Terms and Conditions for more information.

Please Note: All Senior SmartLinkSM Cards are automatically registered. Also, any card(s) added or linked to a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account must be registered - either before or at the time the card is added/linked to the account - in order for account holders to take advantage of card management options available through an online account.

The following are ways you may register your PATH SmartLinkSM Card(s):

• Select the "Register Card" option from the left-side menu of the PATH SmartLinkSM Web site homepage and complete the registration process online.
• If you create a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account, any cards added or linked to the account must be registered. Your account will prompt you to register your card(s), or confirm registration, when adding/linking card(s) to your account.

Please Note: All Senior SmartLinkSM Cards are automatically registered.

Registered SmartLinkSM cardholders should call us immediately at 1-800-234-PATH/7284 and follow the prompts for the PATH SmartLinkSM Card. We will explain the process of obtaining a new card and receiving the unused trips and/or days remaining from an Unlimited Pass (as recorded in our system at the time you notify us your card is lost, stolen, or damaged) stored on your original card. Please note, A five-dollar ($5.00) fee will apply to all replacement SmartLinkSM Cards.

PATH respects the privacy of its customers and does not sell personal information. Please refer to the SmartLinkSM Program Terms and Conditions and the SmartLinkSM Web Site Privacy Statement.

You may purchase trips and/or unlimited passes for your PATH SmartLinkSM Card.

A. Online
PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account holders have the option to purchase fare products online. As a SmartLinkSM Cardholder, you may select from a one-time or automatic replenishment of 10, 20, or 40 trips, or a 30-day Unlimited Pass.

Automatic Replenishment is a convenient service for those who prefer to have their SmartLinkSM Cards automatically filled with either 20 or 40 trips, or a 30-day Unlimited Pass, every time the card's balance reaches the preset threshold of 5 trips or 5 days.

Senior SmartLinkSM Cardholders with a Web Account may purchase one-time replenishments of 10, 20, or 40 trips online. Senior Cardholders may also set up automatic replenishment through a Web account. Senior Cardholders may choose between 20 or 40 trip discounted product for the Automatic Replenishment service, or pay the full-fare price for a 30-day Unlimited Pass.

Please Note: Automatic Replenishment is only available to PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account holders.

B. Vending Machines
The following trip products and passes for your SmartLinkSM Card are also available for purchase at PATH vending machines within PATH stations: 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, and 40-trip packages as well as 1, 7, or 30-day Unlimited Passes.

Senior SmartLink Cardholders may purchase the following products at PATH vending machines: 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40-trip packages as well as 1, 7, or 30-day Unlimited Passes.

The 30-day Unlimited Pass is good for 30 days of unlimited trips, expiring on the 30th day of use. A 30-day pass is more cost effective than multiple trips products if you make more than 42 trips per month.

Trips products - 10, 20, and 40 trip receive the lowest fares - there is a $0.15 discount per trip when purchasing 10 or more trips, these trips cost $2.85 per ride.

Unlimited passes are available on the web in 7 or 30-day denomination and at the PATH vending machines in 1, 7, and 30-day denominations. Unlimited passes are non-transferable but can be used to ride the PATH system as much as desired during the time period the pass is valid. However, they can only be used once at the same PATH station within an 18-minute period. If you have both an Unlimited Pass and trips on your SmartLinkSM Card, your Unlimited Pass will be used first; if the same card is tapped again at any turnstile in the same PATH station within 18 minutes, your pass cannot be used and a trip will be deducted instead.

The day the Unlimited Pass is first used to enter a PATH turnstile counts as the first day of use, or day #1. If you have a 1-day pass, you can anticipate that the pass will expire the next time it is - 12:00 AM, or midnight, after it is first used - not necessarily 24 hours from the pass' first use. Please keep this in mind when purchasing a 1-day Unlimited Pass.

The expiration date on any given pass indicates it will expire at the end of the day noted. For example, if your card has an Unlimited Pass with an expiration date of 08/04 or 08/04/16, it expires at the end of the day on August 4th.

Yes, both trips and passes can be stored on your Card, but a pass will take priority over trips. We recommend that you use up your trips before adding a pass to your card.

As passes are meant for one person, they can only be used once at the same PATH station within an 18-minute period. If you have both an unlimited pass and trips on your SmartLinkSM Card, your unlimited pass will be used first; if the same card is tapped again at any turnstile in the same PATH station within 18 minutes, your pass cannot be used and a trip will be deducted instead.

Automatic Replenishment is an optional automatic trip/pass replenishment service offered for your PATH SmartLinkSM Card. You must have a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account to take advantage of the service.

1. First you must create a Web account
2. When setting up Automatic Replenishment, you will first select the "product" (20 or 40 trips, or 30-day Unlimited Pass) you want automatically loaded onto your PATH SmartLinkSM Card.
3. Next, you must provide information from a valid credit/debit card, or select one of your stored payment options within your PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account, to be charged every time your SmartLinkSM Card is "automatically replenished" with trips or a pass.
4. Every time your card's balance reaches five (5) remaining trips or five (5) remaining days your card will be replenished with the product selected at setup. The credit/debit card that you entered or selected for the service will immediately be charged the appropriate amount each time an automatic replenishment occurs.

Please Note: It is highly recommended that you have no more than a single "product" remaining on your card before establishing the Automatic Replenishment service. Automatic replenishment products will take precedence over any other products on your card, regardless of when they were purchased. In other words, the system will use automatically replenished products first and will continue to reload the product until the replenishment feature is cancelled on the website. Once the replenishment stops, you will then be able to use any products still remaining on the card.

The trips that are loaded* on to a SmartLinkSM Card do not expire and can be used as long as your card is valid for use and kept in good working condition.

*Please note:

a) The SmartLink Card can only hold a maximum of six products (three different products and two of each type). Any products above this threshold will not load onto a SmartLink Card until there is room and will remain in a pending status for up to 60 days. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

b) Products purchased online will remain in a pending status for 60 days until the card is tapped in a station and loaded onto the SmartLink Card. Products will automatically be loaded when tapped at a Ticket Vending Machine or on a turnstile when used for entry into the PATH system. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

When an automatic replenishment is initially setup on your SmartLink Card, there is an authorization charge to ensure the credit/debit card you provided is valid for the amount specified. An authorization charge will occur again after a suspended automatic replenishment becomes active, or if the product being replenished is changed (example: 20 trips to 40 trips).

After the authorization charge is accepted, the product becomes available to load onto your SmartLink Card. The actual charge for the product will occur when your SmartLink Card is tapped in a PATH Station and the product officially loads onto your SmartLink Card. When the product reaches 5 trips/days, you will receive another product and your debit/credit card will be charged again.

Your bank/credit account will initially show two pending charges when an automatic replenishment is setup, reinstated, or modified. However, the first charge relating to the automatic replenishment setup, reinstatement, or modification will be dropped from your account in an average of 5 to 7 business days, depending on your bank or credit institution. When you receive your bank statement, the authorization charge will not be recorded as it is not an actual charge.

The automatic replenishment feature will load products when the card balance reaches 5 days or 5 trips from the product type selected for replenishment.

For example: If you had a 40-Trip product being automatically replenished and switched it to a 20-Trip product, the 20 trip product will automatically load even if you had trips left over from the previous 40-Trip replenishment. The 20-Trip replenishment will continue to reload until the replenishment feature is suspended or cancelled. The 40-Trip product would then be used once the latest 20-Trip replenishment was used in full.

Unfortunately, at this time the automatic replenishment feature is not available for commuter benefit users. There is no way for us to know when your commuter benefits card will have funds available, therefore, we cannot charge your card automatically as you need product replenishments. However, we are continuing to work on finding a resolution for our commuter benefit passengers.

This notice means that your automatic replenishment feature was cancelled. In order to complete the removal of the automatic replenishment feature, the SmartLink Card must be tapped on a target/sensor at a PATH Ticket Vending Machine in any PATH Station. Once this is done, you may setup automatic replenishment again or purchase a one-time replenishment.

If the SmartLink Card was not tapped at a PATH Station within 60 days of the automatic replenishment cancellation, the removal command expired and the cancellation was never finalized. Please contact the SmartLink Center at 1-800-234-PATH, option 1, and they can reinstate the removal command.

Our Web page on "How to Use a SmartLinkSM Card" provides a video tutorial, as well as a link to a downloadable and printable PDF, with instructions on how to use your card.

The read distance of the SmartLinkSM target is approximately 2 inches. As long as you keep the SmartLink Card away from the SmartLinkSM target on the top of the turnstile, no rides will be deducted.

No. The PATH SmartLinkSM Card uses state-of-the-art encryption and authentication functions to ensure that only authorized devices can read and/or deduct trips from the card.

No. The SmartLinkSM Card may only be used on the PATH system at this time.

Senior SmartLinkSM Cards may only be used by the registered Cardholder and can only be used once within 18 minutes at the same PATH station.

SmartLinkSM Cards containing trip products may be used by more than one person. After first use, simply present your card to the target again to allow the next person to enter. You may repeat the process until you have exhausted the trip balance on your card.

SmartLinkSM Cards containing Unlimited Passes are non-transferable and can only be used once within 18 minutes at the same PATH station.

Please Note: If both an Unlimited Pass and trips are stored on a single SmartLinkSM Card, the Unlimited Pass will be used first; if the same card is tapped again at any turnstile in the same PATH station within 18 minutes, the pass cannot be used and a trip will be deducted instead.

You may use your SmartLinkSM Card at any PATH turnstile equipped with a SmartLinkSM target for fare payment. Likewise, there is a target on every silver PATH ticket vending machine, to support SmartLink fare product reloads. Total Access PATH Payment (TAPP) turnstiles do NOT accept SmartLinkSM Cards for fare payment.

PATH patrons 65 years of age and older are eligible for a Senior PATH SmartLinkSM Card.

Senior Cardholders pay only $1.50 per trip to ride on PATH. The discount is exclusive to the Senior Cardholder, and the card may not be used to pay for the trips of others.

You may obtain an application in the following ways:

• Access the application, and fill it out, online. Once all required fields of the online form have been filled, you must print the completed form, follow the additional instructions, and mail it in as directed.
• Print the downloadable Senior Application Form and complete it by hand. This form is also available at PATH stations from a Passenger Information Agent. If you would like to have the form mailed to you, please send an e-mail request to smartlinkservice@panynj.gov or call 1-800-234-PATH/7284.

No. Each Senior SmartLinkSM Card is automatically registered when the card is issued.

Please allow 8-12 weeks to process your Senior SmartLink Card application once it has been received.

If an email address is provided in the application, you will receive an email notification when your Senior SmartLink Card has been created and registered in your name. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your card in the mail after receiving this email.

If you would like to check on the status of your Senior SmartLink Card application, please contact us at 1-800-234-PATH (7284) and select the option for Senior SmartLink Cards.

The PATH SmartLinkSM Card website is the one-stop single resource for all information on the SmartLinkSM Card. Through the website, not only can you find many of the answers to your SmartLinkSM related questions but also, you may purchase and/or register SmartLinkSM Card(s).

By creating a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account, you will additionally be able to take advantage of the following online Card management options:

• Automatic Replenishment of fare products;
• Add Trips or Unlimited Passes through a One-Time Replenishment;
• View Card Transaction History;
• View Online Purchase History;
• Store and Edit Payment Options;
• And more!

Please contact the SmartLinkSM Center with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your SmartLinkSM Card Web Account or other related issues. The Center can be reached via e-mail at smartlinkservice@panynj.gov or by phone at 1-800-234-PATH/7284 (Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST).

When purchasing trips or an unlimited pass at a vending machine, you must place your PATH SmartLinkSM Card against the center of the SmartLinkSM target after selecting the product to be purchased and payment is completed. This system requires a second touch of your SmartLinkSM Card against the target to encode the trips or unlimited pass you purchased onto the Card. If you forget to present your SmartLinkSM card a second time however, the PATH SmartLinkSM system has a special feature that will automatically deliver the trips or unlimited pass you purchased to your card in 24 hours.

To confirm that your purchase was handled properly by the PATH SmartLinkSM system, please call or e-mail the SmartLinkSM Service Center, and provide your SmartLinkSM Card serial number (printed on the back) and the date, time, station name, and vending machine number where you made the purchase.

The "remaining card balance" refers to the amount of stored dollar, or cash, value on your SmartLinkSM Card. Since the PATH system does not accept stored dollar value for fare payment, only the number of "Trips Left" and/or "Unlimited Pass" (with expiration date) noted on the screen are applicable to your card. It is best to check your card balance using a PATH vending machine or through a PATH SmartLinkSM Card Web Account.

Please click here to visit our webpage created exclusively for participants of transit/commuter benefits programs.

Please contact your commuter benefits provider directly. WageWorks customer service can be reached at (877) 924-3967 and Commuter Benefit Solutions by Edenred can be reached at 800.531.2828.

Unfortunately, there is a No Refund Policy for unused trips/passes or for SmartLink Cards as per our Terms & Conditions.

One of the benefits of the SmartLink Card is that neither the trips nor the card expires once they are loaded* onto the card as long as your card is kept in good working condition.

*Please note:

a)The SmartLink Card can only hold a maximum of six products (three different products and two of each type). Any products above this threshold will not load onto a SmartLink Card until there is room and will remain in a pending status for up to 60 days. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

b) Products purchased online will remain in a pending status for 60 days until the card is tapped in a station and loaded onto the SmartLink Card. Products will automatically be loaded when tapped at a Ticket Vending Machine or on a turnstile when used for entry into the PATH system. If these pending products are not loaded onto the card within 60 days, the products will no longer be available on the card.

Please contact the SmartLinkSM Center with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your SmartLinkSM Card, Web Account, or other related issues. The Center can be reached via e-mail at smartlinkservice@panynj.gov or by phone at 1-800-234-PATH/7284 (Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST).

Please have your 20-digit SmartLink Card serial number ready when contacting us. The serial number can be found on the back of your SmartLink Card.