Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) was awarded a second contract from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to continue providing and updating Port Authority Trans-Hudson’s (PATH’s) next-generation fare payment system. The investment will bring the next generation of contactless fare payment and collection technology, allowing riders to “tap and go” with their mobile devices and credit/debit cards.

The PATH system connects New York and New Jersey. As part of the new contract, CTS will provide PATH with Cubic’s fare payment back office to centralize automated fare collection on conventional public transport modes. The back-office technology also offers passengers a single account to manage all their travel needs, transforming PATH into an account-based system like those utilized in Chicago, Brisbane, and Australia.

“PATH is continually searching for innovative ways to enhance the travel experience for all of our riders,” said PATH Director Clarelle DeGraffe. “With this new system, we’ll be adopting the most current and effective technology to advance that goal and make for a more seamless experience at the turnstile.”

The first phase of the contract consisted of readiness efforts for the full implementation of the contactless payment system, such as gate upgrade kits and upgrades to the field network and infrastructure. Once complete, PATH’s convenient payment system will function like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s OMNY system in New York and the Oyster system in London.

These more flexible innovative features will ultimately enable PATH to more seamlessly integrate the system with mobility services such as bike share, scooter hire, and tolling in the future.

The system will be fully deployed by early 2024 and will replace PATH’s legacy SmartLink payment system.