PATH to eliminate the SmartLink Gray Card

PATH has announced that as of January 31, 2016 the paper "SmartLink Gray" card will be eliminated.

http://www.panynj.gov/path/gray-card-elimination.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PATH riders who use this card can trade-in and get a free refillable plastic SmartLink card until February 12,2016: http://www.pathsmartlinkcard.com/GrayGr ... gPage.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; After that the plastic card will have the $5.00 fee for a new card.

The Pay-per-ride MetroCard will still be accepted. [Note: There is no free transfer between PATH and the NYC Subway when using the MetroCard]

Not only that, (no free transfer from NYC Subways) but Senior-citizen reduced-fare MTA Metro-cards also are not accepted by PATH turnstiles. If senior-citizens want to ride on PATH at their reduced fare ($1.00 !!) they have to get a PATH reduced-fare card which they have to jump thru hoops to obtain. Worthwhile for daily/weekly users but not for an occasional rider.

Hopefully within the next 10 years, the MTA is going to finally join the PATH on the RFID chip card bandwagon. I know they've shown interest because the business of constantly printing and distributing metrocards is a very expensive one.

Hawaiitiki wrote:Hopefully within the next 10 years, the MTA is going to finally join the PATH on the RFID chip card bandwagon. I know they've shown interest because the business of constantly printing and distributing metrocards is a very expensive one.

Very true but the MTA loves the $1.00 fee they are getting for each new MetroCard sold at a MVM/MEM or booth. I heard they got around $45 million in 2014.