PATH begins nine-car operations on Newark-World Trade Center line

Riders on PATH’s Newark-World Trade Center (WTC) line will begin to see nine-car trains in service starting March 23. Two longer trains will operate during peak service and are part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) $1 billion PATH Improvements Plan aimed at reducing delays and enhancing customer experience.

While the debut of nine-car trains is a first in PATH’s 100-year history, more trains of the same length will be rolled out gradually during the next 12 months. Nearly all peak service trains on the Newark-WTC line will consist of nine-car trains in early 2024.

“The unveiling of nine-car PATH service builds upon my administration’s significant progress toward the modernization of one of the most important transportation networks in the world,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “By increasing capacity and enhancing efficiency on the Newark-World Trade Center line, we will better connect local communities to good-paying jobs, economic opportunity and each other. Just as importantly, expanding PATH service will help deliver the comfortable, safe traveling experience New Jersey residents and visitors deserve.”

“Today marks a crucial milestone in the continuing journey to create a state-of-the-art rail experience for our customers,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We remain committed to making PATH the industry standard in providing comfort, convenience, safety and system reliability for passengers.”

The PANYNJ Board of Directors approved the addition of nine-car trains in 2019 as part of the PATH Improvements Plan, which PANYNJ has called “game changing” for the system. The improvement plan contains three core elements: Specific steps to increase capacity on the Newark-WTC line by 40 percent and all other lines by 20 percent; a six-point plan to reduce system delays and a series of actions to improve customer experience.

PANYNJ received the first two rail cars of a 72-car order from Kawasaki in September 2022. The additional rail cars will augment PATH’s current fleet of 350 cars and will be essential to increasing capacity on the Newark-WTC line by 40 percent.

“By rolling out nine-car service on the Newark-World Trade Center line during peak operating hours, we are working to ensure that PATH continues to meet the needs of our region’s residents who depend on it every day,” said PANYNJ Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We owe PATH customers an improved experience, and this service enhancement provides substantial and measurable increases in capacity on PATH’s most heavily traveled line.”

A series of station modifications involving the Grove Street, Exchange Place, Journal Square and Newark stations were recently completed to accommodate the longer trains being introduced into service. PANYNJ explains the project has undergone rigorous independent inspection and testing as part of the preparation for the start of the nine-car service.

“We are fully committed to increasing capacity and modernizing our assets and facilities to provide a safer, more efficient and convenient travel experience,” said PATH Director Clarelle DeGraffe. “Expanding to nine-car service during the busiest commuting hours of the day on our busiest line helps us meet that obligation to our riders.”