Although this past month may have felt like ages for regular commuters, the PATH was officially reopened on Tuesday, February 25, after all track updates were concluded. These repairs, which were said to have been due since Superstorm Sandy struck Hoboken in fall 2012, include platform and track restorations and decorative updates to the station.
Commuters can expect wider staircases in the station, refreshed paint and tiles, and more efficient lighting installations. In addition, track improvements have also been implemented that are intended to benefit daily commuters. Among these upgrades is a modernized switch mechanism, permitting conductors to redirect trains to alternate tracks to mitigate delays more efficiently. For those who brace for the rough ride upon pulling into the station, authorities say that the modernized track switches will lead to smoother rides upon arrival.
With the completion of the track updates, passengers are already expressing their insights into the alternate shuttle services provided by PATH. “To have it back is so convenient,” says Katana Burrows, a frequent PATH commuter, as reported by CBS News. Commuters inconvenienced by the closure reported traveling to Journal Square in Jersey City to take the train into the city, forcing them into long treks through the cold and increased transit times. Now that the tracks have reopened, passengers are taking notice of the brighter, cleaner aesthetic the Hoboken station has to offer, not to mention the return to a sense of normalcy that had been interrupted by the recent station closure.
Whether the added 20-minute commute time forced you to get up earlier or the extended exposure to the harsh climates had you questioning your resilience to get to work, many will welcome the updates with open arms. For frequent users of the PATH, these renovations were only one of the components of the $430 million PATH Forward project, which aims to achieve a fast, reliable experience for NYC metro commuters.
