How It Works

Starting in September 2011, riders can tap their PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Visa Prepaid Card at PATCO gates and parking, just like a FREEDOM Card. The difference is the funds loaded on the PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card can also be used to make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, not just at PATCO.

Paying for transit as you know it today is a closed loop payment system, meaning funds loaded to transit fare cards can only be used for transit payments.

PATCO is leading the industry in finding ways to streamline and reduce distribution costs associated with having to issue and manage closed loop payment cards and funds. The PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Open Payment System brings a new way to pay your PATCO fares and parking as well as everything else.

PATCO and its fare payment partner Cubic Transportation Systems are bringing you a more flexible and convenient way to pay your fares because it’s already the way most of us pay for everything else – with a bank card!

This is the first open payment system in the nation to incorporate a transit agency-branded all contactless prepaid card to make sure that ALL riders have the opportunity to experience the convenience and security of a contactless, major branded card. When using the PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card purchases will be automatically deducted from your card balance.

How the Card Works

The PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card is easy to use, manage and reload! It’s the only reloadable all-in-one Visa prepaid card and PATCO transit card that lets you pay your PATCO fare and parking, just like a FREEDOM card, as well as make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Plus, it’s one of the lowest fee prepaid cards in the nation (click here for more on fees).

Just wave your card within proximity of a contactless card reader like those at the PATCO gates or in retail locations that accept Visa contactless debit cards, or you can swipe it using the magnetic stripe on a traditional card reader everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Each time you use your card, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from your card balance. Knowing your balance is important because your card will be declined if you do not have enough value to make the purchase. It’s easy to manage your account online, so register your card today!

Use it on PATCO

When you have received and activated your new card, you can use it to pay for your fares and parking fees at all PATCO stations and parking lots. If you’re a FREEDOM Card holder, you’ll already be familiar with how to tap in and tap out at PATCO entries and exits.

Like the FREEDOM Card, the PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card is contactless. It has an internal chip and antenna so it can communicate with the contactless readers on the PATCO fare gates and parking lot gates.

The PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card works like your FREEDOM smart card. Just tap your card on the FREEDOM target to enter & exit. Fast and easy! 

Remember that you must use the same PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card to tap in and tap out. 

For parking, tap your PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card on the FREEDOM target to park in premium lots between 5 and 10 a.m. (The majority of PATCO parking is free).

Use it in Retail, Online, or Over the Phone

Use your PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Card for purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

You can also get cash back at ATMs and retailers. Because it is a reloadable prepaid card, you can spend the amount of money you load on the card. Plus, because it carries the Visa brand, you can use it everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted – in stores, online or over the phone.

The Card tracks your Transit Benefit balances separately from your retail purchase balances.

Each time you use your card, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from either your card retail balance or your PATCO Transit Benefit balance.

You can add money to your card for free on this website if  you activate and open an account online, at kiosks in selected PATCO stations, or through the direct deposit of your wages, tax refunds, or other disbursements, such as Social Security, child support, welfare or other recurring payments. You can also load at Visa ReadyLink merchants for a fee.*

*Note: ReadyLink merchants may charge a fee for reloads, typically $2.95.

How to Load Your Card

There are four easy ways to reload your card:

1. You can load cash in person at kiosks located at selected PATCO platforms (Lindenwold; Woodcrest; Haddonfield; Ferry Avenue; Broadway East and West entrances; 8^th and Market North and South entrances)
2. You can set up Direct Deposit of your paychecks or government checks to have them automatically deposited to your card’s account.
3. You can transfer funds from other debit or credit accounts by registering your card and securely logging into this website.
4. And you can go to the thousands of retailers that provide Visa ReadyLink loads. Find the ReadyLink Merchant closest to you by visiting, http://usa.visa.com/locators/readylink-locations.jsp.*

*Note: ReadyLink merchants may charge a fee for reloads, typically $2.95.