Cash Only: NJ Transit Temporarily Not Accepting Credit and Debit Cards

On Monday morning, long lines formed at the Walnut Street and Bay Street train stations as commuters tried to purchase tickets.

Hurried commuters repeatedly inserted their debit and credit cards into the machines, to no avail. Ticket machines at both stops were not accepting debit or credit cards. Only coins and bills were being accepted.

“This is unbelievable,” said one commuter, a mother of two who had just rushed from Hillside Elementary school to the Walnut Street station.

“I should have bought my ticket last night,” said another woman at Bay Street.

The story was similar at New York Penn Station; the row of NJ Transit ticket machines were only accepting coins and bills — no credit or debit cards.

A representative at NJ Transit said the issue is the result of problems with the Verizon phone lines. So far, there is no word on when the machines will be working again.

Fortunately, commuters will be allowed to purchase tickets on the train with cash without facing extra penalty charges.

Commuters can download the NJ Transit MyTix app and purchase their tickets electronically with credit or debit. One way, round-trip and weekly pases are available.