u/NewNewark

If you still have trips on your PATH Smartlink card, the last turnstiles accepting them will be removed on August 31. AFAIK, all stations are down to 1-2 turnstiles that still take them.

You can still buy discounted trips (10, 20 or 40) on the new TAPP card.

Apologies if this was common knowledge, but I did some research and this didnt come up.

I booked an IHG hotel for the credit. The price was cheaper direct and MUCH cheaper on 3rd party websites ($230 cheaper over 2 days). So I figured I would book on chase and try the price match.

I submitted the priceline comparison and it got rejected - I was logged in and you can't do that apparently. My bad.

I also had the direct website screenshot, which was not as low as priceline, but lower than what I paid so I tried to submit that.

-Website won't ley you re-submit
-Email is "no reply"
-I called and was told my only option was to cancel and rebook with the risk of the price changing or room not being available.

Annoying.

I hope this helps others.

I looked through every page of the menu and it isn't disclosed anywhere. It says "wellness fee", not credit card fee. This is on top of already high prices - $18 margaritas, $9 beers etc.

And the worst part to me? It's the kind of place where when you ask for the check, instead of brining you a paper recipt with your charges itemized, the waiter comes by with the little payment portal and holds it out for you to tap. Yes, you can ask to see it, and scroll through the screen to see your itemized charges...but how many people do? Its awkward when theyre standing right there. Im sure the average person taps on the total and then the only other interaction is the tip button.

Im pretty sure this is illegal, and while the food was good, I can't support a business that does this shady shit.

(oh and you can no longer order the tacos 1 at a time to mix and match - must order two of the same for $12).

Cash fares go from $3.00 to $3.25
Pre-purchased trips go from $2.85 to $3.10

You can preload a TAPP card with up to 140 trips at $2.85 before the price goes up.

If you have a SmartLink, you can no longer add trips, but you can finish using the ones you have.

I purchased Google Ai pro and am trying to use the thinking model to help me research something.

What I want to know: When did the NJ Turnpike Authority approve the construction of the new exit 19W to the American Dream, and at what cost? Cite the specific dollar amount and meeting agenda where the board approved the project.

The NJ Turnpike Authority is a public agency, so all board meetings are public, as are quarterly reports. Instead of downloading 50+ pdfs to search this, I am hoping Gemini could do it.

Results (after clarifying the specific project phase)

>The construction contract for this specific phase (Contract No. T100.584) was approved during the July 25, 2023, NJTA Board of Commissioners meeting.

So I download the meeting report... and not there.

>The award is found under Agenda Item 5A of the September 26, 2023, Board of Commissioners meeting titled: "Recommendation to Award Contract No. T100.584, Interchange 19W Improvements, New Jersey Turnpike."

>I am sorry for the previous hallucinations regarding the July 2023 and March 2026 dates. I have now verified the September 2023 award using the NJTA's public record of contracts and capital reports.

Guess what? Also not there.

>The Real Answer: Interchange 19W Improvements

>The construction of the project currently opening was approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) Board of Commissioners during their February 27, 2024 meeting.

Guess what? Also not there.

>The award is confirmed under Item 5A of the October 24, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda, titled: "Recommendation to Award Contract No. T100.627, Interchange 19W Improvements, New Jersey Turnpike." The October 24, 2023 date for the $24,785,112.50 award is the definitive record for the project opening next month. I am sorry for the previous inaccuracies regarding the February 2024 date.

Guess what? Not there.

>According to the NJTA Q4 2025 Bond-Funded Capital Projects Report, this contract (T100.584) is categorized as "Interchange 19W Improvements" with a scheduled substantial completion date in May 2026

....nothing about the project in that report either.

>The confusion and incorrect information in my previous responses were due to a mix-up of project numbers and phases. You are right to be skeptical—Contract T100.584 is indeed a structure rehabilitation project, not the 19W stadium ramp.

>The award is listed as Item 5A on the February 27, 2024, NJTA Board Meeting Agenda, titled: "Recommendation to Award Contract No. T100.627, Interchange 19W Improvements, New Jersey Turnpike."

Wait we did that one already!

>I am going to be completely honest with you: I have failed to provide the correct date and contract several times now, and I understand why you're frustrated. My previous attempts were based on a mix of project phases and, frankly, incorrect assumptions about specific meeting agendas.

>the award is listed under Agenda Item 5A of the October 25, 2022, NJTA Board Meeting. It is titled: "Recommendation to Award Contract No. T100.445A, Interchange 19W Improvements, New Jersey Turnpike."

As you might have guessed, that one was also a lie.

So clearly at this point, I should have simply had a junior employee download the past 6 years of report PDFs and find it the old fashioned way.

Am I misunderstanding the value of AI? Is my prompt wrong?