PATH customers wondering if their dying cellphones will somehow survive the commute home, to the office or just across town are now getting an energy boost — eleven new mobile device-charging kiosks that have been installed at six of PATH’s highest-volume stations.
The Port Authority’s new customer service initiative offers passengers the chance to rent from and return small battery packs to the kiosks after powering up their smartphones and tablets. It’s part of the agency’s ongoing effort to provide best-practices strategies when it comes to customer service.
Three of the kiosks are located at PATH’s Newark Penn Station facility, while two apiece have been installed at the Journal Square, Hoboken and 33rd Street stations. The Exchange Place and Newport stations will have one kiosk each.
“Losing power on a cellphone or other mobile device can be a frustrating experience for commuters,” said PATH Director/General Manager Mike Marino. “This is an inexpensive and convenient way to help our customers keep their devices charged, whether they are using PATH facilities or other modes of transportation.”
PATH becomes the second Port Authority agency to install the kiosks as part of a service agreement with the vendor, MobileQubes. Four were introduced to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in September. Devices rented from a PATH kiosk can be returned to any MobileQubes kiosk, including those at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and at other locations at New York Penn Station.
The mobile chargers are compatible with any smartphone or tablet. The rental price is $4.99 for each 24-hour rental period. Additional late fees are imposed if devices aren’t returned at the end of the rental cycle.
