Hoboken Mayor Zimmer Speaks Out Against Possible Elimination of Overnight PATH Service

The following letter was submitted by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer. In her address, Mayor Zimmer outlines her opposition to changes to the PATH service schedule, including the elimination of overnight service.

A Dec. 27 statement by Governors Christie and New York Cuomo outlining the governors’ support for “the comprehensive and wholesale changes recommended by the Bi-State Special Panel on the Future of the Port Authority” prompted Mayor Zimmer to issue her own statement, printed below.

The special panel was commissioned by the two governors. The report includes a recommendation to “Implement PATH service changes” including eliminating overnight service.

To the Editor:

“I will vigorously oppose any efforts to cut PATH service. This irresponsible proposal is a classic example of being penny wise and dollar foolish. Shutting down overnight PATH service will cost the State of New Jersey many times the supposed savings in lost economic activity, sales tax and business tax revenues.

Cities like Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark are growing because residents and businesses want good access to transportation options like the PATH. It is incomprehensible that any New Jersey official would be willing to even consider this proposal that would only hurt the State’s economy.

We should be investing to expand, not limit our regional transit system,” added Mayor Zimmer. “I applaud the report recommendations to build a new Port Authority Bus Terminal and pursue additional trans-Hudson tunnel capacity and hope the recommendation to undermine the PATH system is quickly scrapped.”

- Mayor Dawn Zimmer

The report made by the special panel can be viewed here.

What do you think? Do you agree with Mayor Zimmer? How would the elimination of overnight PATH service affect your life? Sound off in the comments