PANYNJ proposes $45B capital plan, includes rail service improvements

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) yesterday proposed a record $45 billion 2026-2035 capital plan, calling for major investments across its infrastructure and subsidiaries, including the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system.

The proposed capital plan, available to view in full here, would deliver major upgrades to the AirTrain light-rail system at John F. Kennedy International Airport, a new AirTrain at the Newark Liberty International Airport, and service increases at PATH, among other projects, PANYNJ officials said in a press release. 

The plan would drive one of the largest service increases in PATH's history and major infrastructure investments, including the installation of new uptown tracks, new technology to reduce fare evasion and expansion of PATH's tap-to-pay fare payment system. 

For the first time in 25 years, all four PATH lines would operate seven days a week in 2026. PATH will incrementally increase service throughout 2026 and 2027. Since PATH receives no state or federal funding, the capital plan also proposes a 25-cent PATH fare increase in summer 2026, with additional 25-cent increases each January from 2027 through 2029 to cover the costs of service increases. 

A detailed breakdown of the PATH service increases can be viewed here.

The 2026-2035 capital plan also covers the port's $2.7 billion contribution to the Northeast Corridor Gateway Program, the port's own state of good repair program, major investments at the seaport, including to rail infrastructure; and fare evasion reduction tactics. 

PANYNJ also yesterday unveiled its proposed 2026 budget totaling $10.1 billion. It includes $4.2 billion in operating expenses; $4.1 billion in capital spending; $1.7 billion in debt service payments; and a record $1.1 billion for safety and security measures. The 2026 budget also supports the port's net-zero emissions and climate resilience goals, PANYNJ officials said. 

PANYNJ has daily rail connections to CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway via on-dock ExpressRail facilities and authority-owned short line New York New Jersey Rail.