NEWS |
111-98: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , August 5, 1998
PATH, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's interstate rapid transit system, has won the 1998 Public Transportation Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Public Transit Association (APTA), Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle announced today.
The award is presented annually for "outstanding execution of public transportation function responsibilities and contributions to the transit industry as a whole." APTA represents 1,150 public transit agencies and private firms in the U.S. and Canada.
"This award is a credit to the one thousand men and women who make the PATH trains run," Mr. Boyle said. "I was already aware of their excellence, and I am pleased it has been recognized and honored by so prestigious an entity."
PATH Director/General Manager Michael P. DePallo said, "Our employees have worked very hard to make PATH convenient and dependable. But beyond that, they have committed themselves to doing everything they can to make a trip on PATH a pleasant experience for our customers. I believe that this dedication played a large part in PATH's winning this award."
William W. Millar, President of APTA, said, "This prestigious award is given to a heavy rail system for demonstrated achievements in providing efficient and effective service to its customers. Our congratulations to PATH, whose exceptional efforts have been recognized by its peers." Mr. Millar said the award will be presented to PATH at APTA's annual meeting on October 6 in New York City.
A recent survey shows that nearly seven out of ten PATH riders give the system "excellent" or "above average" ratings. A record 62,210,700 passengers used the PATH system last year, a 2.6-percent rise from the previous year. The system operates 24-hour service between terminals in Newark, Hoboken and lower and midtown Manhattan.
In the last two years, PATH has renovated 11 of its 13 stops, painting stations inside and out, installing new high-intensity lighting and replacing and repairing handrails, stairs, ceilings, floors and walls. It also added express service on the Newark-World Trade Center line, expanded weekend service, instituted better customer relations training, upgraded its telephone information system and made PATH QuickCards valid for longer periods of time.
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