PROVIDING SHUTTLE SERVICES DURING CLOSURE OF THE HOBOKEN PATH TRAIN STATION FOR RENOVATIONS

Overview

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), a bi-state agency, is primarily responsible for overseeing the transportation infrastructure within the Port District — a 25-mile radius around the Statue of Liberty encompassing over 1,500 square miles.

As part of its mission, PANYNJ operates the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit system, linking Manhattan with New Jersey, serving approximately 90 million passengers per year. It is a 13.8-mile (22.2 km) system that connects key locations in northeastern New Jersey — namely Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken — with Manhattan in New York City.

Challenge

The Hoboken PATH station — which serves approximately 20,000 passengers daily and 7.3 million passengers annually — was scheduled to undergo a $31 million renovation project that was part of a larger $430 million investment to upgrade the 116-year-old system. Extensive improvements to the Hoboken PATH station would include wider staircases, refurbished platforms, and track replacements to enhance the reliability and quality of the commuter experience.

The overhaul of the Hoboken PATH station required a planned 25-day closure of the station by PANYNJ during February 2025. To accommodate passengers during the temporary closure, PANYNJ decided to contract with scheduled shuttle bus service providers to maintain commuter accessibility and minimize travel disruptions for the thousands of daily passengers who relied on the PATH system.

Solution

Joseph Jacovino, President and Managing Partner of Charter Linkz, said “Based on our reputation and past performance, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey contracted with Charter Linkz to provide scheduled shuttle bus services in response to the temporary closure of the Hoboken PATH station.”

To minimize disruptions for the thousands of daily passengers going through the Hoboken PATH station, Charter Linkz deployed nine ADA-compliant shuttle buses that accommodated passengers with disabilities and ensured equitable transit access. Operations were fully maintained 24 hours per day, seven days per week from January 30 to February 25, 2025. All buses operated on frequent departure intervals to ensure minimal wait times while maximizing service capacity.

Charter Linkz supported over 4,000 passengers daily during the temporary closure, ensuring a smooth and efficient transit experience. The shuttle services connected the Hoboken PATH station to alternative transit hubs. These included the Newport and Exchange Place PATH stations — ensuring uninterrupted access to mass transit options.

During the operation of the shuttle bus services, Charter Linkz provided on- site bus dispatchers at key locations to assist passengers with boarding, unloading, and real-time service updates. These dispatchers ensured a smooth passenger flow while minimizing congestion. To do so, they coordinated closely with drivers to optimize departure schedules and reduce passenger wait times.

Professional and experienced drivers were deployed in rotating shifts to ensure continuous service throughout the closure. At the same time, driver relief rotations were strategically scheduled to maintain full compliance with safety and operational regulations.

To address contingency planning and bolster communications, Charter Linkz made sure that standby vehicles were on-site to address any possible mechanical failures or unexpected increases in passenger demand. Throughout the operation, a dedicated Charter Linkz liaison worked directly with PANYNJ officials to adjust service levels in real time and resolve all operational concerns efficiently.

“We were proud to have successfully provided seamless transit continuity for over 100,000 passengers during the temporary closure of the Hoboken PATH station,” said Jacovino, “The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey praised Charter Linkz for its proactive service management, responsiveness, and overall execution of our shuttle operations.”