New Jersey PATH train commuters are getting a $430 million overhaul to the rail cars, stations and infrastructure that brings them from the Garden State to Manhattan, a move that will begin to improve service on the century-old subway as congestion pricing takes effect this summer.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has launched a two-year program, called PATH Forward, to upgrade the stations, tracks and other key equipment within the bi-state subway system that carries some 187,000 weekday riders, transit officials said late last week.
The PATH, which runs under the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey’s Hudson and Essex counties, makes up just over 8% of the subway commuters who travel into the Manhattan congestion pricing zone below 60th Street. The tolling program is set to begin in mid-June, and most motorists will be charged a $15 daytime fee.
PATH trains are expected to experience an uptick of riders who will be avoiding the new tolls, so officials said it’s a sensible time to enhance the aging system.
“Some portions of the 116-year-old PATH system are showing their age,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton in a statement. “With PATH Forward, we’re fast-tracking our efforts to modernize the system and make sure riders have a smooth trip as we renew our infrastructure, refurbish our trains and refresh our stations.”
Overhaul work is already underway at the 114-year-old Grove Street stop in Jersey City. The first phase of station rehabilitation work was completed in March; a second phase began on Saturday with eastbound trains bypassing the station on weekends to accommodate the work through roughly late June.
Similar closures will eventually take place at the Hoboken, Exchange Place and Newport stations to modernize the stops and address lingering damage from Superstorm Sandy. Rehabilitation work is expected to mostly take place on weekends throughout 2024.
The PATH train is the fifth-busiest rapid transit system in the U.S. with routes that originate from Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark, with New York City terminuses at the World Trade Center and West 33rd Street. PATH service within Manhattan includes a stop in Lower Manhattan and five additional stops between Greenwich VIllage and Midtown. A PATH train fare is currently $2.75, or 15 cents cheaper than riding the subway.
As part of the project, track switches on both sides of the PATH Lift bridge over the Hackensack River will be entirely replaced and rebuilt. The Port Authority said it will target the most deteriorated segments of track to rehabilitate. Key components of PATH railcars will also be replaced to reduce mechanical breakdowns.
Transit officials plan to offer alternative service options during the upgrades.
“No one likes service disruptions, which is why we’re committed to transparency and direct communication with riders throughout this initiative,” said Clarelle DeGraffe, general manager and director of PATH, in a statement. “At the end, it will mean a much improved, reliable and resilient PATH system.”
Caroline Spivack , 2024-04-09 18:13:28
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