Just a few weeks after announcing that the Hoboken PATH station would be completely closed for 25 days in February, the Port Authority strikes again. The new year will bring the first fare increase on PATH trains since 2014. Starting January 12th, hopping on a train will cost $3.
Drivers won’t be spared either. All Port Authority bridges and tunnels will increase by 25 cents next month and another 25 cents yearly for the next three. Toss in NYC’s congestion pricing taking effect soon and 2025 is not shaping up to be the Year of the Commuter. The only good news is riders with disabilities will be eligible for a new reduced-fare program.
One big reason for the increases is a slate of big-ticket capital projects designed to improve transportation across the region. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners recently approved a $9.4 billion 2025 budget plan that includes $4.1 billion in operating expenses, $3.6 billion in capital expenses, and $1.7 billion for debt service and deferred expenses.
The Port Authority’s Rick Cotton told NJ Spotlight News, “We have every intention of continuing this extraordinary momentum across other ambitious, much-needed projects, necessitating sustained investment and reliable revenue to ensure they can reach their full potential and benefit the region for decades to come.”
Some of the major projects include:
JFK Airport – Major construction on new terminals 1 and 6, rebuilding the airport’s road network.
Newark Liberty – Planning and design of the EWR Vision Plan with a new airport transit system to replace AirTrain Newark.
George Washington Bridge – Further progress on the $2 billion Restoring the George program, which will ultimately rehabilitate or replace every major component of the 93-year-old bridge.
Midtown Bus Terminal – The initial stages of work on a brand new terminal. 2025 will see the start of construction on an interim main terminal while the existing terminal is demolished.
PATH Forward – Track replacement, station rehab, and 72 new PATH railcars. The Hoboken PATH Station closure is part of this effort.
TAPP Readers – The new tap-and-go payment system will replace SmartLink/MetroCard readers and be fully implemented in 2025.
