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PATH system overhauls fare gates in $3.5M accessibility and speed upgrade

Decades-old turnstiles are finally retiring—replaced by sleek, high-tech gates. Will this end delays and fare evasion for PATH riders?

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a subway station with a row of metal turnstiles in the middle of it. On the left...
The image shows a subway station with a row of metal turnstiles in the middle of it. On the left side of the image there is a glass door, and on the right side there are a few machines. In the background there are boards attached to the wall, and at the top of the roof there are lights and a sign board with some text written on it.

PATH system overhauls fare gates in $3.5M accessibility and speed upgrade

PATH's Clunky Old Turnstiles Are Officially on Their Way Out

The outdated rotating turnstiles—familiar to anyone who's ever wrestled with them in the PATH system—are being phased out for good. The Port Authority has just approved $3.5 million to kick off the planning process for replacing every single fare gate across the 13-station network with sleek, next-generation devices. It's the latest step in modernizing commuter travel between New York City and New Jersey, following the successful rollout of TAPP, the contactless payment system now used by over 75 percent of riders.

The 341 turnstiles currently in place have been in service for roughly 22 years—well beyond their expected 15-to-20-year lifespan. Age has taken its toll, leaving them struggling to keep up with daily crowds and requiring constant maintenance. Kathryn Garcia, the Port Authority's executive director, noted that the gates have "long outlived their useful life—and it shows," adding that the new equipment will give the agency the tools to "better accommodate riders with diverse needs."

The goal is a complete overhaul of how we enter stations. While the old turnstiles often feel like bottleneck chokepoints, the next-gen models are designed to resemble the smooth, wide-lane gates recently installed in MTA stations—far easier to navigate when carrying groceries, pushing a stroller, or lugging heavy suitcases.

Beyond just looking better, the new barriers will be significantly faster and more reliable. Kevin O'Toole, the Port Authority's chairman, emphasized that this investment is about giving riders "the convenience and reliability they deserve from the moment they enter the system."

Equipped with advanced sensors, the upgraded hardware will seamlessly integrate with TAPP, ensuring a flawless "tap-and-go" experience and eliminating those frustrating moments when your phone or card fails to register on the first try. The agency is also prioritizing "fare integrity" in the new designs—next-gen gates will feature more secure barriers to curb fare evasion, a growing problem that, according to the Port Authority, "undermines the sense of fairness for paying customers."

The $3.5 million approved this week won't cover installation just yet but will fund the critical planning and design phase. This includes assessing each station and finalizing technical specs for the new equipment. The Port Authority expects these preparations to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and wrap up by the second quarter of 2027.

This project is part of PATH Forward, a broader two-year initiative to drag the system into the 21st century. We've already seen major progress with TAPP, which lets riders pay with a phone or credit card. Now, the focus shifts to the physical infrastructure, ensuring the stations themselves feel as modern as the payment tech.

More details on which stations will be upgraded first are expected soon. For now, you can keep using your SmartLink card or smartphone as usual—but the days of that classic turnstile clunk are numbered.

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