The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Mar. 18 that PATH train service will be suspended between Harrison and Journal Square stations from 11:59 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday due to federally mandated testing of new track switching systems. Additional suspensions will occur between Journal Square and Grove Street stations from 11:59 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.
This planned outage is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the PATH rail system, which is a key component of the region’s transportation infrastructure. The work supports the agency’s $430 million PATH Forward program, aimed at rehabilitating the 117-year-old commuter railroad.
During the outage, PATH will operate special shuttle trains between Newark and Harrison with varying frequencies throughout the weekend. Free wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses will be available at Newark-Penn Station, Harrison, Journal Square, and Grove Street stations, running every 7 to 12 minutes except during early morning hours when they will run every 15 to 20 minutes. Customer service agents and Port Authority police officers will assist riders at affected locations.
NJ TRANSIT rail service will cross-honor PATH tickets between Newark-Penn Station and New York-Penn Station for customers displaying valid fare media or using the RidePATH app’s digital pass. Additionally, Uber users can receive a discount of up to $15 per ride during specified overnight hours if their trips start and end within half a mile of a PATH station in New Jersey.
Further outages for software testing are scheduled for March 27-30 and April 24-27 as part of the ongoing improvements under the PATH Forward initiative.
The Port Authority funds its construction and operations mainly through its own revenues and credit, according to the official website. The agency supports regional economic vitality by investing in transportation facilities such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and the PATH rail system according to its official website. Operating across about 1,500 square miles in New York and New Jersey according to its official website, it aims to facilitate efficient movement by air, land, rail, and sea while providing advanced infrastructure for economic development according to its official website.
