NEW YORK—PATH ridership is expected to reach more than 78 million in 2012, making it the second consecutive year the rail system has set a new record.
Ridership through the first half of 2012 has been 4 percent higher than 2011’s record pace. PATH attributed the increase to Port Authority’s $1 billion investment in 350 new rail cars, station modernization programs, and plans to computerize the transit system’s signals along the 43 miles of track linking New Jersey and New York.
“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,'' said Patrick Foye, Port Authority’s executive director, in a release.
New system signals will allow trains to travel closer together and shorten the wait period between trains. Wait times are currently between 4 and 35 minutes, depending on the time of day, destination, and day of the week, according to PATH’s online schedule. Platform extensions are being added to the World Trade Center to Newark line to enable all stations to hold an additional two cars per train, making the maximum train length 10 cars.
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