Why can cities like LA and Seattle literally build multiple lines simultaneously, yet the PATH can’t be extended to Newark?
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Most likely a lack of political will. Our politicians care more about expanding highways than expanding transit.
As evident in the wasteful Turnpike extension, they use any means they can to fast-track it to construction but something that can utilize an existing right of way along the NEC to reach the airport (and then can branch off to the airport terminals or even just to the NJT/Amtrak station) is so far-fetched that it’s unlikely to happen within our lifetimes.
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Why the Future of Path Is Disappointing (and What You Can Do About It)
Related video about poor train frequencies on the PATH
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The Port Authority should give the PATH to the MTA at this point since they clearly don’t care about it and the riders who use it. They’ll at least run it better. I wouldn’t say give it NJT because they’ve been screwing up royally lately, and our crappy state government is trying to basically bleed them dry with the lack of funding and ludicrous fare hikes.
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There is a big difference in the way PATH or Hudson and Manhattan Railroad was designed to serve both Manhattan and Hudson/Essex Counties. In Manhattan, PATH was designed as a subway line with stations only blocks apart(there were 7 original stations on the 33rd St. line). In NJ, PATH was designed as a commuter railroad with the stations being miles apart. Times have changed, additional PATH stations should be constructed in NJ, such as Marion Station and possibly a station between Journal Square and Grove St. I know these are pipe dreams but it would make PATH more accessible to people in Jersey City and NJ.
I understand the new Turnpike Newark Bay Extension Bridge must be built to handle the current and anticipated future truck traffic into our ports. Our ports are vital to our economy. The $500 million dollar savings from eliminating the expansion from exit 14A to exit 14C should be redirected to NJ Transit to extend the Hudson Bergen Light Rail from West Side Ave., through Bayfront and South Kearny, to a park and ride facility in the vicinity of Turnpike Exit 15E in Newark. This would eliminate cars from entering Hudson County by enabling commuters to hop on the Light Rail and arrive at Exchange Place PATH Station in 15 minuets. This would be a perfect compromise while sustaining our ports and eliminating cars into Hudson County. Full disclosure, I’m not a transportation expert.
Can we please take the PATH away from the Port Authority already? They don’t even want it
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Probably not as it covers two states.
perhaps it can be reprivatized - it used to be owned by Hennes & Mauritz (H&M)
wrong H&M
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Correct. It was originally known as the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (H&M), but agreed; it should be given to the MTA and made an integral part of the system.
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They also collaborated with the Pennsylvania Railroad at some point, considering that in Newark, they shared trackage, and at some point, the PRR owned some of their cars as some sported PRR logos.
The only reason the Port Authority took control of the PATH was that the PA wanted to build the WTC and as part of an agreement between NY & NJ, they took the failing railroad over and kept it running and did upgrades in order to be allowed to build the original World Trade Center which occupied the site of the H&M Terminal.
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