A question about PATH fare (Newark, Hoboken: transfer, buy, authority)

[jfgeneral]

I couldn't confirm this from PATH website, my question is if I take PATH from Newark to 33rd st. in NYC, I understand I have to take a connection at Journal Square (maybe even Hoboken), but Do I need to pay (swipe) twice if I buy the smartlink card? Thank you for your help.

[Nexis4Jersey]

You just have to walk across the platform. They usually time it right so you meet your connecting train. Free Transfers are allowed at Journal SQ , Grove Street , Exchange Place , Hoboken?

[Docendo discimus]

You swipe once in Newark. Take the Newark-to-WTC PATH train.

Get off at JSQ (it'll be the 2nd stop once you leave the Newark station).

At JSQ, get off the train and walk across the platform...it's like 5 paces to the other side of the platform where the JSQ-to-33rd PATH train will probably already be waiting (if it's not already there, one will pull up shortly). You don't go through any turnstiles or have to pay again....just walk across the platform.

On a weeday during regular hours, the JSQ-to-33rd train will take the regular route to 33rd St.:

JSQ
Grove
Pavonia
Christopher
9th
14th
23rd
33rd

On weekends and during late night hours, the JSQ-to-33rd train will hook around to Hoboken during its regular route.

JSQ
Grove
Pavonia
HOBOKEN
Christopher
9th
14th
23rd
33rd

Don't get confused and get off at Hoboken. This is a weekend/late night route thing. After a short stop at Hoboken, this train goes into NYC.

If you do not exit the PATH system, you can ride the trains all day long with one swipe.

[TheLuckoftheDraw]

Originally Posted by seque5tra

If you do not exit the PATH system, you can ride the trains all day long with one swipe.

Right, same for the NYC subway, which is a bit more interesting to do that with if you need to kill some time in a (hopefully) air conditioned space.

Speaking of the PATH, whatever happened to weekend day service that avoids Hoboken (when going to 33rd)? They started making us go to Hoboken instead during weekend days when they were doing some track work post-9/11, and I figured it would be temporary, but I guess not.

[lammius]

Originally Posted by TheLuckoftheDraw

Right, same for the NYC subway, which is a bit more interesting to do that with if you need to kill some time in a (hopefully) air conditioned space.

Speaking of the PATH, whatever happened to weekend day service that avoids Hoboken (when going to 33rd)? They started making us go to Hoboken instead during weekend days when they were doing some track work post-9/11, and I figured it would be temporary, but I guess not.

I didn't know they had non-Hoboken weekend service ever!!! I wish they'd bring that back. The stop in Hoboken adds about 10 minutes to the trip! And the trains are so crowded (often more crowded than my weekday rush hour trains).

[TheLuckoftheDraw]

Originally Posted by lammius

I didn't know they had non-Hoboken weekend service ever!!! I wish they'd bring that back. The stop in Hoboken adds about 10 minutes to the trip! And the trains are so crowded (often more crowded than my weekday rush hour trains).

Yeah, when I first moved up here, you didn't have to go to Hoboken during the day on weekends, either.

I think that part of it is that the PATH has always seemed to have this philosophy to me: "Do NOT run the trains unless they're crowded enough to be uncomfortable", lol

You get there late at night and think--"Ah, this is going to be cake, I'll definitely get a seat, etc." but then the trains do not leave for a LONG time--not until you're packed in like sardines during rush hour.

That's a bit hyperbolic, obviously, but I think the exceptions tend to be when you're lucky enough to be heading somewhere that they need more trains to not have the sardines coming the other way falling out of the container.

[lammius]

Yeah I think that is their philosophy. PATH is a big money loser for the Port Authority, so I can't imagine they'd pour money into running more trains just to put smiles on more faces.

[Docendo discimus]

Wow, I didn't know they ever had non-Hoboken service either.

All in all, I think the PATH trains run pretty efficiently. The timetable is very, very accurate. I know there are fewer trains on the weekend but for a buck fitty, it ain't bad.

I mean, you can get from Newark, NJ to the World Trade Center in 22 minutes flat. That beats most subways I know.

[Nexis4Jersey]

The PATH is run pretty well , hopefully over the next few decades as the system is overhauled and expanded it will stay the same. Sure the timetables are weird but at least they hold the connecting Trains.....

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

The PATH is run pretty well , hopefully over the next few decades as the system is overhauled and expanded it will stay the same. Sure the timetables are weird but at least they hold the connecting Trains.....

yeah. a lot of people complain that some points of day and the weekend aren't frequent enough, but it's still pretty regular. i love the PATH and the fairly reliable schedule it follows. at least you can plan your times around when it will be there.