PATCO is moving to contactless payment this summer and phasing out Freedom Cards

PATCO will begin phasing out its Freedom Card this summer in favor of a contactless payment system that will take tap-and-go, open payments like Apple Pay and credit cards.

PATCO has used its Freedom Card since 2007.

The $17 million transition for the PATCO High Speed Line will include installation of contactless validators at gates, plus new ticket vending machines that dispense tap-ready disposable plastic tickets and can recycle bills for change. That means no more unwieldy $1 coins in exchange for dollar bills.

“We’re trying to streamline the process for our customers,” said PATCO general manager John Rink.

PATCO plans to begin implementing the contactless system by June or July, Rink said. Eventually, it will stop selling new Freedom Cards.

Riders will be able to use their existing Freedom Cards beyond the start of the contactless system until their balance is depleted, or longer if they choose to do so, but it is possible those cards will be deactivated in the future. PATCO’s reduced-fare rider program will continue to use Freedom Cards.

Contactless payment appears to be especially popular at a time when the spread of disease and vaccine skepticism are major public concerns.

“People like this,” said Kathy Imperatore, director of fare collection for PATCO, referring to the popularity of contactless, open payment systems in other cities and with SEPTA, which made the move in 2023.

“They like not holding their money in escrow on a card,” she said.

PATCO’s fare system and equipment is nearly 20 years old and was due for an upgrade, Rink said. The change will help the agency keep up with other major transit systems that have gone contactless, like those in New York and Miami.