Tag: new york

As a regular rider on the PATH system for the past 18 years I am continuously amazed at the ineptitude and the total lack of consideration toward PATH riders by those who run the system.

Case in point, yesterday (Sunday, 3/24/2019) I wanted to take my usual trip into Manhattan and was greeted by a message at the Journal Square PATH station stating there was no direct service to 33^rd Street between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. In addition, there was no direct service all weekend to the World Trade Center — a double whammy. We were forced to take an Exchange Place bound train and change at Grove Street for a 33^rd Street train which included the still ridiculous and time wasting stop in Hoboken. When we arrived at the Grove Street station it was a chaotic mess! The Grove Street station is just no good as a transfer point.

I opted for the train to Exchange Place to try PATH’s replacement ferry service to Brookfield Place in downtown Manhattan. Passengers are forced to walk to an open-air dock and wait in line over a block away from the ferry itself! This must be a real joy when it’s pouring rain or bitterly cold. Then if the ferry is full before a passenger boards, they must wait another 15 minutes for the next one.

When departing the ferry, passengers must walk over a quarter of a mile to the World Trade Center and subways. I pity the poor riders with mobility issues or are physically handicapped.

I left Journal Square at 3:58 pm and arrived at World Trade Center at 5:02 pm. This trip normally takes 15-20 minutes.