P'ATI Card for the Puerto Rico Urban Train: what it will be
The P’ATI card will be the new payment card for Puerto Rico’s Urban Train and AMA buses, part of the system operated by the Integrated Transit Authority (ATI).
Important: the P’ATI card has not been issued yet. Fare collection on the Urban Train and AMA buses has been suspended since March 2024, so travel is free right now and no card is needed. The P’ATI will roll out when ATI restores fare collection, giving integrated access to the Urban Train, AMA buses, MetroBus, Tu Conexión and Metro Urbano with a single rechargeable card.
This page explains how it will work and what’s known so far, so you’re ready when it takes effect.
What is the P'ATI card?
The P’ATI will be a rechargeable contactless transit card that works as an integrated pass for all public transit in the San Juan metro area. According to ATI, it will be available at the ticket machines in all 16 Urban Train stations and at ATI’s Customer Service Center, located at Río Piedras station (Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00).
The idea is to pay with a single tap at the Urban Train turnstiles and when boarding any AMA bus, keeping the free transfer between train and buses within 2 hours of first use — which already exists today with the current card.
Anyone who still has a balance on their current transit card will be able to transfer it to the new P’ATI once it is issued, as ATI’s executive director has explained.
How to use the P'ATI card step by step
This is how ATI has said the system will work once the P’ATI card is in circulation. Until then, travel is free and none of this is needed.
- Get your card: at any ticket machine in the 16 stations. On screen you’ll choose «Get a new card», with the option to load it with a balance or an unlimited pass.
- Register your card (recommended) to protect your balance if lost. ATI has announced its own app to manage it; registration details will be confirmed at launch.
- Board the train: tap your card on the turnstile reader until the beep. The fare is deducted automatically (the regular fare will be $1.50).
- Transfer to a bus: board an AMA bus within the next 2 hours and the ride isn’t charged separately. Tap your card on the reader.
- Check your balance at any ticket machine or on the balance readers at stations.
How to reload the P'ATI card
According to ATI, the P’ATI will be reloadable in several ways once it’s in circulation:
| Method | Where | Payment accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket machines | All 16 Urban Train stations | Cash, credit/debit card |
| ATI app | The dedicated app ATI has announced for the new system (not yet launched) | Credit/debit card |
| Customer Service Center | Río Piedras station (Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00) | Cash, card |
ATI will confirm the final methods and accepted payments when it puts the card into circulation. Today, with the free system, there’s nothing to reload.
P'ATI fares when collection returns
These will be the fares once ATI restores collection. It has confirmed there will be no increases: they’ll be the same as before March 2024. In the meantime, the real price of any ride is zero.
| Service | Regular fare | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Train | $1.50 per ride | Free |
| AMA buses / MetroBus | $0.75 per ride | Free |
| Metro Urbano (routes 20 & 30) | $2.00 per ride | Free |
| Children age 6 or under | Free | Free |
Reduced fares are also available for students, people age 65 or older and people with disabilities, along with multi-day passes. ATI will publish the exact amount of each in its official fare schedule when collection resumes. The free transfer between Urban Train and AMA buses within 2 hours of first use will remain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the P'ATI card
Can I get the P'ATI card yet?
Not yet. The P'ATI is the card ATI will put into circulation when it restores fare collection on the Urban Train and AMA buses. That collection has been suspended since March 2024 and has no confirmed return date, so for now there's no card to buy: travel is free.
How much will the P'ATI card cost?
ATI has not published the final price of the card or the minimum initial load. It will confirm this when the new system launches. What it has said is that ride prices will not rise from the fares in place before the free period.
I have a balance on my current card. Will I lose it?
No. ATI's executive director has explained that the balance on the current transit card will be transferable to the new P'ATI once it is issued.
Will the P'ATI work on all AMA buses?
That's the point of the integrated system: a single card for the Urban Train, AMA routes, MetroBus and Metro Urbano, with a free transfer between train and buses within 2 hours — as already happens today with the current card.
Where is ATI's Customer Service Center?
At Río Piedras station, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. It's the only in-person service center; among other things, reduced fares for students, people age 65+ and people with disabilities are handled there, on presentation of the required documentation.