Suggested transportation reforms backed by the governors of New York and New Jersey could lead to a cut in overnight PATH service.
The Port Authority report released Saturday suggests terminating PATH service between 1 and 5 a.m. on weeknights, when ridership falls below 1 percent of all daily riders, and possibly on weekends.
Governors Christie and Cuomo endorsed the proposed reforms after vetoing legislation aimed at overhauling the Port Authority, saying the new plan would further bring accountability to the agency.
But the recommendation has drawn criticism from New Jersey mayors who say the state’s economic future is directly tied to the PATH, which connects New York City to Newark, Harrison, Hoboken and Jersey City.
This makes no sense 4 the benefit of NJ. We need to be investing in mass transportation not cutting it. @GovChristie http://t.co/wkfu7A93L1
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) December 28, 2014"This is one of the dumbest ideas that has been proposed in the last six years,” Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said. “Similar to the cancellation of the important ARC tunnel, we see again that Trenton is proposing another mistake and has no appreciation for the importance of mass transportation for the region.”
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer also argued that limiting PATH service would stunt business development.
“Shutting down overnight PATH service will cost the State of New Jersey many times the supposed savings in lost economic activity, sales tax and business tax revenues,” Zimmer said. “Cities like Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark are growing because residents and businesses want good access to transportation options like the PATH.”
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The recommendations did not sit well with commuters arriving at Hoboken Monday morning either.
“I think it’s a terrible idea,” one commuter told NBC 4 New York. “I take it at 12 o’clock at night from Manhattan to [Hoboken]. The train is always packed. It would be a huge disservice.”
The bill vetoed by Christie and Cuomo had the unanimous support of the New York and New Jersey legislatures.
"While neither governor is approving the legislation as passed, they are urging their respective legislators and the Port Authority to work with them," read a joint statement from Christie and Cuomo.
