An Assembly Resolution urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to establish a unified system to allow for unlimited use of the Port Authority Trans-Hudson rapid rail system and MTA New York City Transit’s subway and bus system.

Whereas, The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) heavy rail rapid transit system was established in 1962 as a subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority); and

Whereas, PATH serves as the primary transit link between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit bus and subway system and New Jersey Transit Corporation commuter rail lines in New Jersey; and

Whereas, PATH presently carries 244,000 passenger trips each weekday, and many of these trips are made by New Jersey residents who take advantage of both the PATH and MTA New York City Transit bus and subway systems on their daily commutes into and out of New York City; and

Whereas, Currently, a person who uses a SmartLink card issued by the Port Authority for use on the PATH is required to also purchase a MetroCard issued by the MTA for use on the MTA New York City Transit system; and

Whereas, Similarly, a person who uses a MetroCard for use on the MTA New York City Transit system may only use that MetroCard on the PATH system if the MetroCard has a pay-per-ride value loaded on it; and

Whereas, New Jersey residents who use both the PATH and New York City subway systems regularly would benefit from a system which would allow for unlimited use of the PATH and MTA New York City Transit systems using a single transit fare card; and

Whereas, It is therefore fitting and proper and in the best interests of this State for this House to urge the Port Authority, which operates the PATH system, and the MTA, which operates the MTA New York City Transit bus and subway system, to establish a unified system to allow for unlimited use of the PATH and MTA New York City Transit bus and subway systems using a single transit fare card; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House respectfully urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the Port Authority Trans-Hudson heavy rail rapid transit system, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the MTA New York City Transit system, to establish a unified system to allow for unlimited use of the PATH and MTA New York City Transit systems using a single transit fare card.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and every member of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Vice-Chairman, and every member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

STATEMENT

This Assembly resolution respectfully urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority), which operates the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) heavy rail rapid transit system, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates the MTA New York City Transit bus and subway system, to establish a unified system to allow for unlimited use of the PATH and MTA New York City Transit systems using a single transit fare card.

Currently, a person who uses a SmartLink card issued by the Port Authority for use on the PATH is required to also purchase a MetroCard issued by MTA for use on the MTA New York City Transit bus and subway system. Similarly, a person who uses a MetroCard for use on the MTA New York City Transit bus and subway system may only use that MetroCard on the PATH system if the MetroCard has a pay-per-ride value loaded on it. New Jersey residents who use both the PATH and MTA New York City Transit bus and subway systems regularly would benefit from a system which would allow for unlimited use of the PATH and MTA systems using a single transit fare card.