Draft:NJ Transit fares

NJ Transit operates a complex, zone-based fare system, covering its statewide network of bus, commuter rail, and light rail services. NJ Transit is the third-largest transit agency in the United States, and its fares account for the broad geographical and conceptual reach of the system. Fare policy in New Jersey is also influenced by NJ Transit's connections with other transit operators in the New York metropolitan area and the Delaware Valley, as well as independent operators within New Jersey.

Bus and light rail fares
NJ Transit bus and light rail fares are by the number of zones traveled. Unlike many zone-based fare systems, there is no single map of fare zones. Each bus and light rail line has its own fare zones, listed in its timetable.

Intrastate fares are calculated by the number of zones traveled. As of 2015, the single-zone bus fare for all New Jersey Transit buses is $1.60.

Payment methods
NJ Transit buses have accepted contactless payments since October 2023. The payment system, branded as "Tap & Ride," accepts credit and debit cards for one-way bus and light rail fares. The Tap & Ride card readers on buses also feature a barcode scanner for paper tickets, which were previously manually checked by bus drivers.

Future
NJ Transit hired Conduent in 2017 to build a comprehensive automated fare collection system for bus, commuter rail, and light rail services.