New PATH rail cars to enter service week of April 16

April 14, 2023

The new cars represent a 20 percent increase in the rail system’s available rolling stock and are a key component to PANYNJ’s plan to reduce delays on its rail system.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

A train set with some of PANYNJ's new Kawasaki rail cars at the PATH Hoboken station.

The first of 72 new PATH rail cars are set to enter service the week of April 16, marking the start of a rollout that will continue through 2023 and into 2024. The new rail cars will supplement the current 350 vehicle fleet and represent a 20 percent increase in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) rolling stock.

“PATH remains committed to improving riders’ experience, from the countdown clocks to station cell service and comfort on the train,” said Kevin O’Toole, chairman of PANYNJ. “We’re delighted to celebrate the introduction of these new rail cars, marking an exciting step toward a state-of-the-art rail experience for our customers.”

The new cars are one part of the $1 billion, three-year PATH Improvement Plan to add capacity, reduce delays and enhance the customer experience. The new cars support another part of the improvement plan, which was to begin using nine-car trains on the Newark-World Trade Center line. The longer trains began operating during peak hours on March 23, and the new rail cars will help the line see capacity increase by 40 percent.

The first of 72 new Kawasaki rail cars for PANYNJ's PATH system was delivered in September 2022.

“Prioritizing public transportation means never settling for a transit system that amounts to less than what our residents and visitors deserve,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “After announcing nine-car train service just last month, the port authority will enhance PATH’s capacity and efficiency yet again through the addition of dozens of new rail cars. Together, these significant improvements will continue to spur PATH’s determined recovery of ridership while promoting safe and accessible transportation for all New Jerseyans.”

PATH expects to achieve at least 60 percent of its overall average daily ridership by the end of 2023. The new cars will be put into service on the Newark-World Trade Center, 33 St. to Journal Square, Hoboken-33 St. and Hoboken-World Trade Center lines, as well as the Journal Square-33 St. via Hoboken line on weekends.

“The addition of these new rail cars aligns with our broader initiative to enhance service quality, improve customer experience and boost overall capacity across the PATH system,” said Rick Cotton, executive director of PANYNJ. “With ridership recovering from the pandemic, we anticipate more riders utilizing the PATH system and want to ensure we have the capacity and reliability people expect.”

PATH Director Clarelle DeGraffe added, “With each step of the PATH Improvement Plan, we are bringing better service, easier access and more modern facilities and equipment into our system.”

The cars were built by Kawasaki and were transported to the rail car manufacturer’s Yonkers, N.Y., facility to be outfitted and tested before being delivered to PATH. The first of the rail cars were delivered in September 2022.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.