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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

Tap

Tap & Ride

NJ TRANSIT is taking the next step to enhance your travel experience.  

With this tap-to-pay technology, you can pay your one-way fare on buses, light rail, and at EWR access fee faregates using contactless payment cards. This new functionality will reduce transaction time and the need for cash or tickets, making boarding even faster. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This feature is not available when pre-boarding at Port Authority Bus Terminal. 

Traveling by bus:

Use the new Tap & Ride option to pay your one-way fare on-board NJ TRANSIT buses using contactless payment cards.

  • As you board, tap your contactless credit or debit card on the on-board validator.
  • Provide the number of zones you wish to travel to the bus operator for the proper fare.
  • Take a seat and enjoy your ride – it's that easy!

 
Traveling by light rail:

Use the new Tap & Ride payment option to buy your one-way light rail fare at Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail, or River LINE stations. 

  • At the light rail station platform, tap your contactless payment card at the validator to pay the adult one-way fare.
  • The card is valid for your one-way fare during the usual validation period.
  • Board the light rail train and enjoy the ride!

If asked to show proof of payment by a fare enforcement officer, tap the same contactless card used to pay your fare on a fare enforcement scanner.

It's a simple and easy way to pay your fare and speed up your trip.

 

Traveling at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR):

Use the new Tap & Ride payment option to pay your access fee, if not included with your NJ TRANSIT train ticket, when entering the airport monorail faregates. 

  • At the EWR station,  tap your contactless payment card at the faregate to pay the adult one-way access fee.
  • Board the monorail and enjoy the ride! 

 

Avoid Payment Clash

Keep your barcode paper or mobile tickets separate from contactless credit/debit cards when tapping the validator.  
 
Payment clash occurs when you present multiple payments at the validator at the same time.  Ex: Barcode paper ticket in same holder as contactless credit/debit card or mobile barcode ticket and a contactless credit/debit card in the same phone case.  
 
Make sure you keep barcode paper or mobile tickets separate and not in the same holder, wallet or phone case when validating your payment method.
 
To check for payment clash, go to the NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal and enter your card number and expiration date.  For assistance with payment clash, please contact the NJ TRANSIT Customer Call Center at (862) 229-7139. The call center is available Monday through Friday 7:00am to 5:30pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 8:30am to 5:00pm (Eastern Time). 

 

Know Before You Go

Where can I use contactless payments?

Contactless payments are now accepted on board NJ TRANSIT buses, all light rail stations and for EWR access fee.

What payment methods are accepted using NJ TRANSIT Tap & Ride?

NJ TRANSIT currently accepts contactless bank cards and mobile wallets.

What fares can I purchase with contactless payment?

NJ TRANSIT is accepting contactless payments for adult and Senior/Disabled one-way fares.

Can I use my transit/commuter benefit card with contactless payments?

If the card issued by your transit benefit provider is contactless, you can use it on NJ TRANSIT buses and at light rail stations. Please contact your transit benefit provider for more information.

Is there a fee for using contactless payment?

No, there are no fees associated with using contactless payments.

Can I use my contactless payment to pay for additional people?

Yes, you can pay for up to four passengers.

Can I transfer between buses or light rail and pay the transfer fare using my contactless payment?

Yes, simply tap on the validator of the subsequent transfer bus or light rail vehicle and your card will be charged the transfer fare.

Are discounted fares available with contactless payments?

Yes, NJ TRANSIT is accepting Tap & Ride for adult and senior/disabled one-way fares and Newark Light Rail Underground fares. 


Light Rail Customers:
You must register your Contactless Bank Card for the reduced fare or Newark Light Rail Underground fare option, visit your online profile at NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal.
 

Bus Customers: 
Have the option to register your Contactless Bank Card for the reduced fare or inform the bus operator when boarding that you are traveling with a reduced fare.
 

Can I ride NJ TRANSIT bus and light rail if I do not have a contactless bank card?

Yes. All existing fare payments/media continue to be valid on NJ TRANSIT.

How to Use Contactless Payments

How do I use my contactless payment on NJ TRANSIT?

Look for the contactless symbol (example shown below) on NJ TRANSIT validators as you board the bus, enter the light rail station or at Newark Airport (EWR) station faregates and tap your contactless payment card or mobile device to pay the fare.  Contactless Payment Symbol

How do I use my contactless payment when traveling by bus?

Use Tap & Ride to pay your one-way fare on-board NJ TRANSIT buses using contactless payment cards.

  • As you board, tap your contactless credit or debit card on the on-board validator.
  • Provide the number of zones you wish to travel to the bus operator for the proper fare.
  • Take a seat and enjoy your ride – it's that easy!
How do I use my contactless payment when traveling by light rail?

Use the new Tap & Ride payment option to pay your one-way light rail fare at Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail, or River LINE stations.

  • At the light rail station platform, tap your contactless payment card at the validator to pay the adult one-way fare.
  • The card is valid for your one-way fare during the usual validation period.
  • Board the light rail train and enjoy the ride!
    If a fare enforcement officer asks you to show proof of payment, tap the same contactless card used to pay your fare on a fare enforcement scanner.
     
How do I use my contactless payment at EWR?

Use Tap & Ride payment option to pay your access fee at EWR faregates.  

  • At the EWR station, tap your contactless payment card at the faregate to pay the adult one-way access fee.
  • Board the monorail and enjoy the ride! 
Why doesn’t my contactless bank card work?

If your contactless bank card is not working, it may be due to one of the following reasons:

  • Your card issuer may have declined payment.
  • The card may be damaged or expired.
  • Due to insufficient funds, the card is suspended or temporarily blocked.
    Contact your card issuer for more details.

Registering and Managing My Account

How do I register my contactless bankcard?

If you have an existing Mobile app account or web ticketing account, you can sign in at the NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal and select Tap & Ride to register your card.


New customers can register online at the NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal to create an account and register your card.
 

What account management tools are available with registration?

Once your card is registered at the NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal, you will have online access to your account and through the automated customer call center at 862-229-7139.  Access to the following account management tools are available to you after registering your card:

  • View past trips and transaction history
  • Select rider class in your user profile for a reduced fare
  • Selection of unique fares (Underground fare ticket selection for Newark Light Rail)
  • Register multiple cards under a single account
What is my Account ID, and where can I find it?

Your Account ID can be found on your credit card statement as shown below.  Example Statement Highlighting Account ID

What should I do if my card is suspended or temporarily blocked due to insufficient funds?

You can pay your outstanding balance using a credit/debit card. Log onto the NJ TRANSIT Customer Portal and select “Pay Outstanding Balance.” Follow the onscreen steps to clear the hold. The same card will become your primary account payment. You must re-activate your original card if you pay your outstanding balance with a different card.

Why do I have to re-activate my contactless card?

You must re-activate your contactless payment card if you pay an outstanding balance with a card different from the one in the system.

How do charges appear on my card statement?

Your fares for each day are combined and submitted for processing at the end of each day. A single charge on your card statement will reflect all trips taken that day.

There are charges on my statement that I don’t recognize. What are they?

Depending on the payment method used, you may see a preauthorization amount in the customer portal or your card account. The preauthorization is a nominal temporary hold during payment processing. Your fares for the day are combined and submitted for processing at the end of each day. A single charge on your statement will reflect all trips taken for that day with no additional charges.

Customer Call Center

Phone: 862-229-7139
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (Eastern Time).