NEWS |
127-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , September 18, 2000
The 36.1 million riders who used PATH during the first half of 2000 represent the highest six-month total on the rapid transit system since the Port Authority took control from the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad in 1962. On an average weekday, 249,000 people use PATH to travel between New York and New Jersey.
The biggest increase on the PATH system was reported at the 33rd Street Station in Manhattan, which saw ridership jump from 3.4 million to 4 million during the six-month period, up approximately 18 percent. Other significant ridership gains occurred at the Pavonia-Newport Station, up 14.9 percent from 1.65 million to 1.9 million, and Exchange Place, up 14.2 percent from 1.62 million to 1.85 million.
"We believe several factors led to this phenomenal ridership increase - an increase in weekend service, burgeoning development around our stations and a low crime rate," said PATH Director/General Manager Michael P. DePallo.
"We are particularly pleased to see that more New Yorkers are using our system for commuting to destinations in New Jersey," Mr. DePallo said. "And we also are seeing increased ridership at the Exchange Place and Newport-Pavonia stations."
The Port Authority Police have stepped up uniformed and plainclothes patrols at all PATH stations - particularly on nights and weekends - and those efforts have yielded clear results. During the first six months of this year, PATH reported 64 targeted crimes, down from 90 during the same time period last year. Targeted crimes are robbery, pickpocketing, purse snatching, assaults and grand larceny.
Police have been assisted by a new high-tech, closed circuit television system that helps them to detect incidents in progress and quickly deploy personnel to the scene. The system, which consists of 165 cameras positioned at PATH's 13 stations and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, also enables police to identify suspects who commit crimes reported by PATH customers.
To encourage weekend ridership increases, PATH modified its schedules to provide more frequent service. In addition, direct weekend service between Hoboken and the World Trade Center, as well as between the Journal Square Transportation Center in Jersey City and the 33rd Street Terminal in Manhattan, has been added during the past two years.
Weekend ridership rose 22 percent during the past four years, reaching 160,125 passengers on an average weekend in 1999. This is up from 130,000 in 1996. Through the first six months of this year, the average weekend ridership has risen to 165,144, up 8 percent over 1999 levels.
PATH recently instituted a comprehensive customer service training program for all of its employees.
PATH, the rapid transit operating subsidiary of the Port Authority, runs 24-hour service between terminals in Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken and lower and midtown Manhattan.