(Save the date: RealShare New York comes to the Grand Hyatt, New York, NY, October 9.)
JERSEY CITY-The PATH trains that are such crucial development drivers in northern New Jersey are on pace to set a new record for ridership for the second consecutive year, says the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During the first half of this year, PATH ridership ran about 4% ahead of last year’s record pace, the authority reported this week.
The 2011 record of 76.6 million passenger trips was the most since the PATH was established in 1962 after the PA took over from the bankrupt Hudson and Manhattan Railroad. There were more than 39 million trips clocked by the end of June, up from 37.6 million through the same period in 2011. That puts PATH ridership on pace to exceed 78 million riders in 2012 – which would mean an increase of more than 8 percent since 2009.
More than half of the PATH riders - 56 % – boarded at the seven New Jersey stations. In Harrison, where a major mixed-use redevelopment effort is well under way, there was a 10.1 % increase in riders in the first six months of 2012. That was the station where the biggest jump occurred other than Christopher Street in New York City, which saw a 10.6% jump.
The PA approved a $256 million replacement of the existing nearly 100-year-old Harrison station in April, after a strong coordinated lobbying effort by the seven development companies at work in Harrison and state and local authorities.
Last year, 340 new trains replaced old railcars on the system. Currently, mechanized signals along the system’s 43 miles of track and at the line’s 13 stations are being replaced.
Port Authority officials said that the ridership hikes validate the $1 billion committed to the refurbishing the PATH system in recent years.
“This continued record growth in ridership confirms our investment is working to attract millions of additional riders," says Port Authority Chairman David Samson.
“We are serious about providing those commuting to work, shopping and entertainment an alternative to their vehicles when they need and want to cross the Hudson River,’’ says Pat Foye, the agency’s executive director. “These investments in PATH are making it easier, more convenient and reliable to travel by train between New York and New Jersey.’’
Other PATH stations showing significant growth in passengers were 9th Street with 8.4%, 23rd Street, with 6.5%, Grove Street with 5.7% and the World Trade Center with 5.3%.
Ridership rose 5% at the six stations in New York during the first half of 2012, and more than 3% at the New Jersey stations.
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