Port Authority Announces Fare Hike for PATH Train, Abandons Off-Peak Discounts
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced plans to increase the cost of a single trip on the PATH train by 25 cents in spring 2026, with subsequent annual hikes until it reaches $4 by 2029. This significant fare increase will come as a blow to commuters, who have been experiencing rising costs for transportation in both New York and New Jersey.
The agency's decision to phase out off-peak discounts on tolls for E-ZPass users is expected to bring in an additional $75 million annually. While the Port Authority claims that this move will be offset by increased revenue from taxis and for-hire vehicles at regional airports, critics argue that it will only serve to further burden commuters.
In light of these increasing costs, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has vowed to address affordability concerns in her state, while New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani campaigned on making the MTA's buses free. The PATH fare hike is seen as a test case for these efforts.
However, Port Authority officials argue that the fare increase will be accompanied by expanded service and improvements. Trains will begin to run more frequently, with increased frequencies during morning rush hour and weekend services starting in May. Weekend trains on the Journal Square-33rd Street via Hoboken line will double in frequency, while trains between Hoboken and the World Trade Center will run every six minutes.
The agency's five-year capital plan, valued at $45 billion, includes airport upgrades, a new bus terminal, and improvements to PATH trains. In comparison, the MTA's current five-year plan is worth $68 billion.
While officials claim that their decisions are guided by the principle of putting riders first, many will be left wondering whether this measure truly benefits commuters or merely serves the interests of the Port Authority.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced plans to increase the cost of a single trip on the PATH train by 25 cents in spring 2026, with subsequent annual hikes until it reaches $4 by 2029. This significant fare increase will come as a blow to commuters, who have been experiencing rising costs for transportation in both New York and New Jersey.
The agency's decision to phase out off-peak discounts on tolls for E-ZPass users is expected to bring in an additional $75 million annually. While the Port Authority claims that this move will be offset by increased revenue from taxis and for-hire vehicles at regional airports, critics argue that it will only serve to further burden commuters.
In light of these increasing costs, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has vowed to address affordability concerns in her state, while New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani campaigned on making the MTA's buses free. The PATH fare hike is seen as a test case for these efforts.
However, Port Authority officials argue that the fare increase will be accompanied by expanded service and improvements. Trains will begin to run more frequently, with increased frequencies during morning rush hour and weekend services starting in May. Weekend trains on the Journal Square-33rd Street via Hoboken line will double in frequency, while trains between Hoboken and the World Trade Center will run every six minutes.
The agency's five-year capital plan, valued at $45 billion, includes airport upgrades, a new bus terminal, and improvements to PATH trains. In comparison, the MTA's current five-year plan is worth $68 billion.
While officials claim that their decisions are guided by the principle of putting riders first, many will be left wondering whether this measure truly benefits commuters or merely serves the interests of the Port Authority.
! They're just gonna suck more money outta our pockets and we won't even get to enjoy any new services that'll make it worth it, right? 
I mean, 25 cents might not seem like a lot but it adds up when you're commuting twice a day. And what's the deal with phasing out off-peak discounts? It's just gonna be another way for them to nickel and dime us. The Port Authority is always talking about "putting riders first" but I think they've got other priorities 
like lining their own pockets. I'm not sure if New Jersey Governor-elect Sherrill or NYC mayor-elect Mamdani are doing enough to address the problem...or if they just don't care 
It's not because things are so different now, they're just different from what we were used to before 
. This fare hike is a big change for commuters, and it's gonna be hard for them to adjust. The Port Authority thinks it'll bring in more revenue, but will it really help the people or just pad their pockets? 
Now it's like they're charging us an arm and a leg just to get across the Hudson River. And off-peak discounts? Gone? What's next, raising the cost of air? I get that we need money for infrastructure, but 25 cents seems steep. I'm more worried about how this is gonna affect regular folks who can't afford it. I'm all for better service and whatnot, but can't they find a way to make it work without nickel-and-diming us? 
. commuters in nj and ny are already feeling the pinch with rising costs, and now they're gonna have to shell out even more cash just to get to work? it's like, what's next? 
.
. meanwhile, zohran mamdani's talking about making mta buses free? that's a whole different story 
. maybe they should focus on fixing the PATH train instead of counting their profits 
, but MTA's got some serious competition with PATH on this one. Let's see how that 5-year capital plan of theirs pans out 
. I'm a NYC commuter and I hate when they raise prices on us. I use my E-ZPass for tolls all the time and now they're gonna charge me more? Not cool. They say it's gonna offset revenue from taxis and Uber, but I think that's just a bunch of hooey 
A 25 cent hike in PATH train fare might not seem like a lot, but for those who rely on it to get around NYC and NJ, that's a decent chunk of change... especially with prices going up everywhere else 
. I get it, costs are rising and we need to find ways to make up for it, but 25 cents may not be enough 
) and improved service, especially during rush hour 
. But phasing out off-peak discounts? That's just rubbing salt in the wound 
. And what's up with the 'we're gonna make up for it with airport upgrades' vibe? It feels like they're trying to get us to calm down with a shiny new bus terminal 
.
. If they follow through on their promises to address affordability concerns, maybe this fare hike won't be so bad after all 
. But for now, it's just another example of how the Port Authority is trying to make a buck off our hard-earned cash 
what are we even supposed to do?!
I'm not surprised about this fare hike news... like, it's been coming for a while now. Commuters in NJ and NY are already dealing with crazy prices on the trains and buses. And what's up with abandoning off-peak discounts? That was literally the only thing that kept me from giving up on public transport. Now they're gonna hit us with more cash... like, who's gonna afford it? 
. A 25 cent fare hike in just a few years? That's like, a slippery slope, you know? They're gonna make it so expensive to use the PATH train that people will be forced to drive or take buses... and then they'll sell ads on those too 
! I mean, what about all these promises from Sherrill and Mamdani to make public transportation free? That's just lip service at this point. I'm calling foul, man 
And what about off-peak discounts? Are we really expected to pay full price all the time? I hope Governor Sherrill can do something about this. The increased revenue from taxis and for-hire vehicles might not be as rosy as it sounds. And while expanded service is nice, does that really make up for the higher fares? 
especially when u gotta factor in the e-zpass tolls too...idk about the new bus terminal and airport upgrades tho 
.