PATH fare hike takes effect ahead of return of 7-day service
Newark PATH station. Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Flickr
The cost to ride PATH trains officially increased from $3 to $3.25 on Monday as part of the system’s transformative service upgrades. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the fare hike will help fund its $45 billion 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which has modernized the 118-year-old system’s infrastructure and enabled the return of 7-day service on all lines for the first time in 25 years, with additional improvements to come. Fares are expected to rise in 25-cent increments, reaching $4 in 2029. Reduced fare for riders ages 65 and older, as well as those with disabilities, also increased by 10 cents, from $1.50 to $1.60.
Starting May 17, the Journal Square–33rd Street service will run between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends, while direct Hoboken–World Trade Center service will resume on weekends for the first time in nearly 25 years. Dedicated weekend service will also operate on the Hoboken–33rd Street line.
The Journal Square–33rd Street and Hoboken–33rd Street lines will run every 10 minutes, while Hoboken–World Trade Center service will run every 20 minutes.
Other improvements include increased service frequency during rush hours and late nights. Friday night service will run every 20 minutes until 2 a.m., matching Saturday night service levels.
The changes mark the first time since 2001 that all four PATH lines will run seven days a week, part of an effort to improve weekend and off-peak service.
In March 2026, weekend wait times on the Journal Square–33rd Street line were reduced from 20 to 10 minutes between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and weekday morning rush hour trains between Hoboken and the World Trade Center began arriving every six minutes instead of every eight.
The service enhancements follow the completion of the two-year $430 million “PATH Forward” program, which replaced more than 15,000 feet of track, installed three new rail switch systems, upgraded rail cars, and improved customer communications and outage response during major track work.
The program also made substantial upgrades to the Hoboken, Exchange Place, Newport, and Grove Street stations, including new floors, tiles, ceilings, and drainage and electrical systems.
“The return of seven-day service on all four PATH lines for the first time in nearly a quarter-century is a major milestone for our riders and our region,” Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority, said.
“These significant improvements were only made possible thanks to our riders’ patience and support during the PATH Forward program. That focused and sustained investment, in infrastructure and in our riders, is what makes milestones like this possible.”
Additionally, unlimited 1-, 7-, and 30-day PATH passes are now available on the new TAPP Card, part of the system’s transition to a tap-and-go payment system similar to the MTA’s OMNY.
Paper SingleRide tickets will also be available from TAPP vending machines in stations, alongside existing 10-, 20-, and 40-trip options. Passes and trips can be added online or at any station vending machine. SmartLink SingleRide tickets are no longer available as of Monday.
“These game-changing service enhancements and improved fare payment options are continuing to provide more frequent and reliable service to our customers,” Clarelle DeGraffe, director/general manager at PATH, said. “Having seven-day service on all our lines is a blueprint for more frequent, faster, and more reliable service for our customers.”
PATH will end SmartLink unlimited pass sales in stations and online on May 31 for all riders except reduced-fare customers. Reduced-fare customers will be able to continue purchasing SmartLink products until the transition is completed this summer, with all remaining SmartLink balances required to be used by a fall 2026 deadline.
The agency will also launch a pilot program testing new ADA-accessible fare gates at the World Trade Center in an effort to curb fare evasion. PATH also plans to replace its network of 341 standard and ADA gates across its 13 stations. The agency’s board approved a $3.5 million investment in new gates and equipment at a March 2026 meeting.
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