The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it has awarded a $10 million contract to Wi-Tronix to deploy onboard technology on railcars that will improve service reliability for the railcar fleet.
The technology will be deployed across the fleet for the PATH commuter rail, and will support the PATH’s regulatory compliance while improving service reliability through real-time onboard mechanical issue visibility on railcars. The technology will help PATH Identify and Address Railcar Problems Faster, Keeping More Trains in Service and Reducing Delays for Riders, officials said. The technology will also help PATH’s compliance with Federal Railroad Administration requirements, including FAST Act mandate of onboard image and audio recording. The technology will be installed on more than half of the PATH fleet of 422 cars by the FRA deadline in October 2027.
“A safe and reliable PATH system is essential to the region’s economy and to the continued growth of communities like Jersey City, Harrison, Newark and Hoboken,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “Modernizing a 118-year-old railroad means investing not only in its physical infrastructure, but in new technology that helps us provide better, more reliable service for every rider.”
The contract award follows a multi-year collaboration beginning in 2023 through the Transit Tech Lab program that would allow PATH to evaluate Wi-Tronic’s technology in a live transit environment. The PATH tests expanded to a larger deployment after the 30-month pilot. The contract includes Wi-Tronix’s continued maintenance and upkeep of the technology.
“We’ve invested heavily in PATH’s physical infrastructure in the past two years and now we’re building on that work with technology that can help us operate the railroad more efficiently,” Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said. “Giving our teams better information faster means they can address problems quicker and provide more reliable service for PATH riders.”