NJ Transit launches ‘Tap & Ride’ payment option

Oct. 12, 2023
The feature allows bus and light-rail customers to use their contactless credit and debit cards with the existing validators on board buses and at light-rail stations.

New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) has launched the “Tap & Ride” payment option for bus and light-rail customers. The feature allows bus and light-rail customers to use their contactless credit and debit cards with the existing validators on board buses and at light-rail stations. “Tap & Ride” is now available to customers of all NJ Transit bus routes (except for A&C and O.N.E. emergency stabilization service at this time) and all light-rail lines.

 “With ‘Tap & Ride,’ customers have an additional quick, convenient payment option,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “NJ Transit continues to advance new and innovative ways to improve the customer experience.”

“As part of our ongoing efforts to leverage technology to improve the customer experience, NJ Transit is pleased to launch ‘Tap & Ride,’” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “This new fare payment option will not only be more convenient for customers but it will speed up the boarding process by reducing onboard transaction times.”

The “Tap & Ride” program begins with adult one-way tickets on bus and all three light rail lines. It will be expanded to accept payment for more ticket types soon.

How to use “Tap and Ride”

Bus customers should tap their contactless credit or debit card at the on-board validator as they board and inform the operator of the number of zones they wish to travel.

Light rail customers simply tap their contactless credit or debit card at the station validator to pay for their adult one-way fare. Fare enforcement officers have mobile scanners that they will ask a customer to tap the same card used to purchase their ticket to validate proof of payment.