Today is the 100th anniversary of the PATH Train. Richard Kelly was the president and general manger of PATH and the director of interstate commerce for the Port Authority until 1995. He talks about its history and fields phone calls comparing the PATH to the New York City subways.
Comments [11]
I've never unnderstood why the PATH doesn't become part of the MTA. It would make things so much easier.
I cant stand the path contour seats. I much prefer the more bench like seating of the MTA.
Jeez I grew up in Yecca Flats (Washington Heights), at a time when it was safe for an 11 year old to ride the entire Subway system.
Path is a great system.
Can you imagine if Robert Moses hadn't screwed up our cities with CAR-oriented (never mass)transportation.??
ie ramps too low for busses, or NO mass transit on ANY bridges....
Take a look HERE at my blog entry about Robert Moses and what COULD have been!
here:
http://markbnj.blogspot.com/2008/02/robert-moses-power-broker-and-destroyer.html
Essentially imagine the subway line running out the length of the LIE, and wonder what would have happend for commerce, industry, manufacturing, and employment if the transportation system of the TRI-state area had been mass-transit friendly...
SIGH...
This is also (rebuilding the infrastructure) one of the points in my plan to create a new new deal.. (http://sos-newdeal.blogspot.com)
As far as human culture on the PATH goes, I don't miss having kids doing backflips down the center aisle of the car (last seen on the #6 Subway in NYC).
I cant believe no one has mentioned the PATH font/icon yet. Coupled with the pleasantly retro train cars (compared to the bland new MTA train car designs) the PATH symbol, red with arrows, is amazing.
here's a difference - the PATH stations have no system maps posted! once you're through the turnstile you're on your own for direction until you're on a train! as an infrequent PATH train rider this is a huge obstacle - especially when routes change during service disruptions/off peak times.
While I really like the path and appreciate it's cleanliness and the accessiblity of conductors (so nice to see them), it feels a little uptight to me culturally, too many security announcements (can't stand the noise pollution), no benchs or garbage cans in the stations etc.
I'm sorry to say, I prefer the New York subway, I miss the personality of MTA, the art in the stations, the poems in the cars.
Biggest difference: Jersey pride!!!
Other difference: when the PATH lets out, half the neighborhood comes home. In downtown Jersey City, pedestrian traffic on the streets seems to be ruled by the comings and goings of the PATH.
Back in the day I used to meet more people on the PATH, ironically because fewer people rode it. Now it's much more crowded and getting to be more like the subway, with all its anonymity. not bad, just what's happening.
The famous Philippine singer/actress/comedian takes the Path train everyday from Grove Street in Jersey City to 34th street. If you get lucky, you will see her once in awhile riding the subway.
She is very cool in person.
I hear there some new path trains ready to be rolled out. Do we know when?
Why does the train make so many turns as it approaches the Hoboken station? That always drove me nuts.
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