Journal Square PATH Station

Unlike the platforms at the other PATH stations, the platforms at JSQ are outdoors. So be prepared if you are making a transfer at this station (bundle up during winter and peel off some layers during summer). This is especially important if you are transferring during the weekend and have to wait a long time — and, more often than not, you will wait a long time with the alternate weekend train route.
Track 1 and Track 2 share one platform, while Track 3 and 4 share the other. At each platform, there are two sets of escalators/​stairs and one elevator. The escalators/​stairs will get you to the level where the ticket machines and turnstiles are, the concourse level, and then the plaza level (street level) where the banks and Chickpea are located.
Taking the elevator may be confusing at first. From the platform, the elevator will take you to the concourse level and there are turnstiles here. Once you pass through the turnstiles, you’ll walk through a short hallway that will lead you to the area where the escalators/​stairs are. Now, to get to the elevator that will get you to the plaza level, you need to head towards Deli Plus, pass through the glass doors, and then you’ll see the elevators. These elevators can get you to plaza level as well as the parking deck levels.
The station gets a bum rap. Yes, it’s not as polished and nice looking as the other stations, but hey it gets the job done. If you think you are safer at one of the other stations, I’d argue that PATH crazy can happen at ANY of the stations. PATH crazy is indiscriminate. Both my creepiest PATH experience and most gangster/​scariest PATH experience happened at the Newport station. No matter which station, just make sure to watch your back, hold onto your stuff, and keep your eyes open. You’ll be fine.

I took this train nearly every day for 11 years. It was emotionally exhausting. It was crowded, and it got worse as the years went by. Now when I go to Jersey, since I’m technically homeless, I take the train from Exchange or NJT from Newark. *Note: Employer has me in a hotel in the puddle.
PATH cannot handle capacity on a 100 year old system. It needs an upgrade badly. JSQ is a prime example. Delays on Newark-​WTC ARE ABOMINABLE. Yes, I still get text updates. It’s like I never left.
This was the first place where I ever saw anyone get stabbed. I took a cab home for 2 years after that. Path is a mismanaged dump. Avoid if possible.

today — really path? really? this is scheduled maintenance and service is even worse and mismanaged than after Sandy. get it together!!! use signs. use walkie talkies. let your own employees know alternative solutions when service is disrupted… rather than having yelling matches in the street as busses are swamped by hundreds of people and your own employees are fighting!!!

This bus terminal is one of the most dead terminals in the NY tri-​sate. Why do they make it so difficult to determine where your bus is. Trying to get information regarding trains and regarding buses is very complicated here.

This station will eventually be the crown jewel of the PATH system. Right now, it’s great for transportation, but so-​so for amenities. It’s a huge facility, when entrances on all sides, many taxis waiting on JFK, and a large bus station as well. They’ve got some mediocre food options, but they do have a Bank of America and a Duane Reade. The platform is open air, which is preferable to the underground hot box on all but the coldest of days. You can get to Newark, WTC or 33^rd in roughly equal time from here. They also have a bathroom, which isn’t nice, but it’s good to have the option. Once the towers go up next to JSQ PATH, this place will get redone real nice.

When I first started commuting from this spot, I was so lost. It’s a bit confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. Just ask someone, who seems nice if you are standing on the right side. I can see why this is frustrating to someone who isn’t familiar with this location.
There’s plenty of ticket booths but most people forget that and the lines for the lower level ones can get hectic. The cops do their little ‘random checking of people’s bags but like someone else mentioned, they shouldn’t only be there in the morning. They need put in those night time hours!
I’ve only experienced a few set backs with delays but who hasn’t? That’s expected when you’re relying on public transportation.

Commuters pay $ 89 every month for a pile of shit.
Why there are some rate 5 stars?
Signal problem, car equipment problem… Almost every week.
One of the WORST subway in the world.
AND THEY ARE PLANNING A FARE HIKE!!!
Give 1 star because at least it is better than MTA subway

People used to give me so much shit for living in Jersey City. But the best thing about it besides the super cheap rent was the PATH train. It’s soooooo much better than the subway. It’s cleaner, cheaper, and stops at most of the main hubs as the subway. I loved taking the PATH into Christopher St., checking my mail, then walking around. No matter who I kicked it with or where I went shopping, I could always catch the train at Herald’s Square and get home just fine.
I miss it. Being able to get around without being subjected to public transport’s weirdos is something I’ll never take for granted again.

What else to say besides an easy cheap way to get from Hoboken to NYC.
Is the station clean? Well its as clean as any other public transportation station in the NJ/​NY area.
Have the prices gone up? YEPPERS.
But overall, do you really have any better options… definitely NOT.
Take the PATH. There is almost always staff on hand to help with any questions. Only suggestion is to avoid the Journal Square stop in Jersey City.

The rail link between Jersey & New York City is decidedly the PATH. The Port Authority Trans– Hudson rail is the one of the means of public transportation from the New Jersey side to the New York-​Manhattan side. I took the PATH at least 3 times during my short stay in New York City, staying with a friend on the Jersey side near Journal Square. The experience was decent, as the ride was effortless and everything seemed well maintained. The PATH stations at Journal Square, World Trade Center, and 33^rd streets were clean enough, although you could smell faint traces of homelessness that seemed to longer in the area. Still, the PATH rail system is a vital part of the New York City rail network infrastructure and a cheap option for people to get around the city and neighboring communities in Jersey and NYC.
The PATH mirrors itself with the NYC rail system, using the same ticketing system to make it all uniform, no matter where your origin and destination may be for any given day. The cost per ride is $ 2.50, so it can get really expensive when you ride daily. Since, I was there for 2 days, I opted for pay as you go MTA card and spent $ 20 on transportation fees, which isn’t that bad, but then again, NYC is an expensive place. There are kiosks in the train station to recharge your MTA rail card or issue you a new one, in case you somehow lost it. The machines accepts credit cards, so that’s always a great thing. There is always people coming and going along the PATH route, so best believe you need to act like you’re in a hurry and you should be okay and not look too touristy, if you are from out of town. The rail cars look relatively new and the insides are pretty much clean.
The PATH trains come once every 10 minutes, so that’s good. It’s quite nice to have the PATH heading directly to lower manhattan during the weekday, but switching it up to 33^rd street on the weekend, where I needed to be anyway (Penn Station), so it works out for the best. I think that the PATH is a pretty good rail system to have, if you live and work in the area. While cars and taxis are good for what they are, the PATH rail system takes you from the Jersey side and into the hub of New York City daily. And cheaply too. My experience was good. Got in and out and without problems. The credit card machines for the MTA cards was good too. Helps the local commuters as well as the tourists to use the system well and cheaply to wherever we need to go. Definitely recommended if you are doing New York City on the cheap, like me.
Support local!
B+

Well, I dont know how fair it is to rate a public transportation system based on cleanliness and upkeep but hey we are all judgy people at heart and thats why we are on Unilocal.to judge! To be honest, I wish you took a little more care of yourself, PATH! I can forgive you a couple of times for the trains being a few mins late but I cant forgive you for leaving me hanging like that in a somewhat stinky, filthy station. Believe me, if you try a tad harder, you can earn that extra star! Also, if you up those services during the weekends, you are getting full marks from me. Now, now stop sulking and go work on those issues!

I’ve been using PATH for 5 years. The cars are newer, but service is getting worse.
There are 4 escalators at Newport — all 4 have never worked at the same time since I’ve lived there. Once one gets fixed, another breaks down.
WTC and Exchange Place are shut down on weekends until 2015. Even more people are using PATH now that the Pulaski Skyway is under construction for the next 2 years.
I have notified PATH that they need to supply more service on weekends (trains come every 10 – 45 minutes depending on the time of day), but they have yet to do anything about it. Service is decent from 8 AM to 8 PM on weekdays, but beware using overnight and weekends. You’re better off driving in or just staying away from the city if you can.

Let me begin this review by saying that I’m giving the PATH five stars for it’s convenience, 24 hour service, cleanliness and history.
Beginning as the Hudson and Manhattan railroad over 100 years ago, these tunnels are OLD. Keeping that in mind, it’s not shocking that stuff goes wrong. Along those lines, remembering that this is public transit run by a bi-​state agency it’s shocking the trains run at all.
At the Hoboken station if you look at the pillars, there’s a painted H, which obviously stands for Hoboken. At Newport however there’s an E. Why? Well when it was the Hudson and Manhattan, it was known as Erie. Random but slightly cool fact.
In theory, the trains are 24 hours. I say in theory because there are almost daily delays that impede your ride or station closures for one reason or another. This past winter, the World Trade Center station was closed at various points due to «falling ice». I REALLY hope the ice wasn’t falling 104 stories, just saying. Furthermore, the trains always stop in the tunnels for one reason or another, sometimes for 30 seconds… sometimes for a few minutes.
That being said, the trains do run between Newark Penn Station, various points in Jersey City and the World Trade Center on one line. A second weekday line runs from Hoboken to the WTC, a third from Hoboken to 33^rd st and 6^th ave in Manhattan (various stops along 6^th ave and a great stop at Christopher St when I want to buy vinyl), and a forth between 33^rd and Journal Square in Jersey City. On the weekends there’s no Hoboken to WTC line, rather a 33^rd to Journal Square line via Hoboken.
It’s pretty clean, as no drinking or eating is allowed on board. This is rarely enforced in my experience as the only way to be caught is to drink directly in front of a PATH employee. That being said, don’t be a jerk. The coffee can wait a few minutes.
All announcements are automated, which is great. The current stop is announced, as well as where the train is going and the next stop. An example is «This stop is Newport. This is the train to World Trade Center. The next stop is Exchange Place». Sometimes this doesn’t work though and there’s manual announcements and the speakers are very clear. The conductors have a sense of humor as well. I remember being at Exchange once on the WTC train and hearing «World Trade Center, World Trade. Don’t get on this train unless you want to end up at the World Trade Center.» Once it began moving he went «To anyone who got on this by accident, well you’re heading to the World Trade Center, World Trade next and last stop»
If you read through this entire review, I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Weekend service has been horrendous. No trains to wtc, only one track running at harrison, extreme delays at journal sq, delays again at Hoboken — my 25 min trip has turned into a 2 hour nightmare. Thanks for nothing path — get your act together.

Sometimes I take the WTC and 34^th Street Lines whenever I need to utilize the PATH.
You pay per ride, NOT per station. Unlike other rapid rail systems, this is perfect.
But the signal problems, track issues and construction, as well as wire problems lead to delays, which is inconvenient to those who need to get somewhere on time.

super busy path station, super duper.
Feels like I am in the middle of no where when I exit, weirdly big but claustrophoibc.

This train is outright majestic compared to the NYC subway. They don’t let you eat food on them so they are a billion times cleaner. Seating seems to be more adequate and the train inside is much better maintained. No graffiti or damaged posters here. Nor have I seen vagrants walking through begging for money rattling change cups or showing off their physical deformities to the world. No nasty smells & the train actually leaves in a timely fashion (thought I got impatient yesterday waiting on the one to get to Journal Square).
If you get to the right part of 33^rd and 6^th, you can take the elevator to get right to the platform. Also, no need to buy a separate PATH tickets if you’ve got a Metrocard since the machines also take the NYC Metrocard. Too bad our subway system can’t get with the program & take a page out of the PATH book.

Compared to the NYC subways, PATH is a lot cleaner and modern. Gone are the rats, musty smell and rickety subway cars. Instead, PATH has brand new trains, television, great air conditioning and fast service.
I took a trip last month to Hoboken, and went from the 33^rd Street stop in Manhattan. The station was surprisingly clean, and the trains arrived every fifteen to twenty minutes. Not too bad. I heard they come on the hour and half hour during the late nights too.
The trains inside were surprisingly clean, and it was such a nice departure from the MTA. There were little screens that gave weather reports and news, and updates on traffic. And even though it was three o’clock in the afternoon, the trains were not packed at all. I could easily find a seat and spread out.
The ride itself took maybe fifteen minutes to cross the Hudson, and it went by fast. It was only one stop to Hoboken, and the ride back to the World Trade Center was also one stop. $ 2.50 fare each way, which is very reasonable.
The only thing I don’t really like about PATH is the fact that there are only a few stops. I understand it’s supposed to be a Trans-​Hudson line, but it’s got to be one of the smallest subway systems in the country. Wish it had a line that crossed Manhattan and the East River into Brooklyn. Or across the Verrazano-​Narrows Bridge from Staten Island. Oh well.
It’s a good line, I recommend it.

Stand clear of the closing door. Bing, bong.
I hear these words tens of times per day on my commute in, either sitting on a bright blue chair or hanging onto a pole. Either way, i’m face deep in a book or watching PATH TV, immersed in air conditioned commuting goodness.
Yeah, thats right, we have TVs on our trains. Hear that other non-​PATH NYC trains? Yawn. Your fancy lite-​brite of stops is no match for news, weather, word scrambles, and sports.
The good:
–Generally consistent with timing.
–New trains.
–Insane A/​C.
The bad:
–As much as it can be generally consistent, it can also be generally inconsistent. Once in a while i’m stuck at Hoboken Terminal twiddling my thumbs watching the WTC train go in and out and in and out without a 33^rd street train in sight.
–Late night can be annoying — trains on the half hour AND drunk people.
The getting better:
–Digital signs have popped up at Hoboken Terminal. Hopefully the rest of the terminals will be populated with them in due time. As much as I love playing the «Hoboken or JSQ» game at 23^rd street coming home from work, a little upfront information would be nice.
The nonsensical:
–STOP HANGING BY THE DOOR. This really goes for all subways I take on the regular. If you just moved in instead of trying to get fancy with the door, things would move a bit faster.
It’s pretty cheap for a ride, the monthly isn’t bad, and it sure as hell beats the bus. As much as I love hours of unpredictable backup in the Lincoln Tunnel… no thanks.
And I repeat: Stand clear of the closing doors. Bing, bong.

Comparing PATH to the NYC Subway is like comparing a Cadillac Escalade to a Garbage truck. Okay, maybe the PATH isn’t quite an Escalade, but it’s certainly a nice clean ride. And the NYC Subway? Yep, it’s a dump. The PATH trains are clean and comfortable and most of all, quiet. The Subway is a squealing metal-​on-​metal piercing sound that even sticking your fingers in your ears can’t block.
PATH is cheap, cheap, cheap and it’s fast, fast, fast. $ 2.05 to get from anywhere to anywhere. Like from the Newport station where my hotel is to WTC or 33^rd Street. Awesomeness.
I have only ONE complaint. On the CIty side, the stations are hard to find at night. Would it kill you to light them a little better? I wandered in a small circle for a while trying to find the 33^rd Street Station. And the Christopher Street? It’s in the middle of the block and there is zero lighting on the signs. WTH?
PATH: Port Authority Trans Hudson. Any now you learned something!