The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced a slew of major service and operational enhancements to its PATH rail system.
Beginning in May; the Authority will seek to expand train service, broaden fare payment options, and deliver long-sought improvements to riders across the century-plus-old system.
The changes will take effect this Spring
© Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The improvements follow the completion of PATH Forward, the Port Authority’s 430 million USD programme intended to modernise PATH infrastructure, including almost three miles of new track, the replacement of outdated switching equipment, upgraded station facilities and improvements to PATH rail cars.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said:
The return of seven-day service on all four PATH lines for the first time in nearly a quarter-century is a major milestone for our riders and our region.
These significant improvements were only made possible thanks to our riders’ patience and support during the PATH Forward program. That focused and sustained investment, in infrastructure and in our riders, is what makes milestones like this possible.
Starting on 4 May; single ride fare will increase to 3.25 USD – a 0.25 USD increase previously authorised by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners in December 2025. From 17 May, PATH will implement new, major changes to its weekend service. Direct Journal Square–33 St service will now operate between 10:00 and 21:00 on weekends, and direct Hoboken–World Trade Center service will resume on weekends for the first time in nearly a twenty-five years.
Dedicated weekend service will also begin operating on the Hoboken–33 St line, with the Journal Square–33 St and Hoboken–33 St lines running every 10 minutes and the Hoboken–World Trade Center service running every 20 minutes.
Additional enhancements will seek to increase service frequency during rush hours and late nights, with Friday night services operating every 20 minutes until 02:00 consistent with Saturday night service levels.
On 17 May; new changes will be introduced that will mark the first time since 2001 that all four PATH lines operate seven days a week as part of a a sustained effort to improve weekend and off-peak service. In March 2026, weekend wait times on the Journal Square–33 St line via Hoboken were reduced from 20 to 10 minutes between 10:00 and 21:00, whilst weekday morning rush hour trains between Hoboken and World Trade Center began arriving every six minutes instead of every eight.
From 4 May, unlimited 1-, 7- and 30-day passes will be available for purchase on the new TAPP Card, whilst paper SingleRide tickets will also be available for purchase from TAPP vending machines in stations, alongside the existing lineup of 10-, 20-, and 40-trip products. PATH will also end SmartLink unlimited pass sales in stations and on the SmartLink website for everyone except reduced fare customers on 31 May as part of the ongoing migration to the TAPP system.
Finally, PATH will see the launch of a pilot programme examining new fare gates as part of the agency’s campaign to eliminate fare evasion across the system. Beginning in Spring, the Port Authority will install new ADA-compliant fare gates at the World Trade Centre station, as well as seek to replace its network of 341 standard and ADA gates across its 13 stations.