The Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $3.5 million on Mar. 19 to begin planning for the replacement of PATH’s fare gates at all 13 stations with new, modern equipment. The current fare gates are over 20 years old and have become outdated, leading to frequent breakdowns and increased maintenance needs.
This initiative is significant as it aims to improve convenience for riders and reduce fare evasion, which has been rising in recent years. The new gates will be fully integrated with the TAPP contactless payment system, which allows passengers to pay using credit or debit cards, smart devices, or a TAPP card. Since its introduction in 2023, more than 75 percent of daily riders now use TAPP.
“PATH Forward and our recent service upgrades raised the bar for what riders can expect from this system,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Replacing these fare gates continues that work, giving every passenger the convenience and reliability they deserve from the moment they enter the system to the moment they reach their destination. This investment reflects our commitment to a PATH built on upgraded infrastructure, improved stations, and seamless technology.” Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said, “Our current fare gates have been in service for more than two decades, well past their useful life, and it shows. The new equipment will give us the tools to meaningfully address fare evasion, accommodate riders with varying needs, and integrate fully with our new TAPP contactless payment system. This will be a direct upgrade to the daily experience of every passenger who walks through those gates.” Vice Chairman Jeffrey H. Lynford added: “We’re looking to continue that progress with modern fare gates. This planning authorization sets the process in motion, and we look forward to bringing riders a system that works for them at every step in their journey, from the fare gate to the platform to the train.”
The $3.5 million will fund project scope development, technical specifications preparation, cost estimation, procurement processes for new equipment, consultant services by JHP (a partnership between Jacobs and HNTB), staff support services, station surveys and internal allocations. Planning is expected to start in the second quarter of 2026 and last through mid-2027.
The Port Authority operates across a port district covering about 1,500 square miles in New York and New Jersey according to its official website. It funds construction and operations mainly through its own revenues and credit according to its official website. The agency oversees key infrastructure such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and PATH rail according to its official website. Its mission is facilitating efficient movement of people and goods by air, land rail or sea while providing advanced infrastructure for regional economic development according to its official website.
This effort builds on recent momentum including extensive service enhancements under the Port Authority’s Capital Plan for 2026-2035—such as doubling weekend service frequency on certain lines since March 15—and follows major investments made through PATH Forward’s $430 million modernization program.
