Effect on Transit Ridership of Time-of-Day Pricing Initiative at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Facilities

In this study, the effects of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) time-of-day pricing initiative on transit ridership were investigated. The program was introduced in March 25, 2001 and effective in two tunnels and four bridges that connect New Jersey with New York City. The transit ridership data between New Jersey and New York, which were composed of New Jersey Transit and PATH ridership volumes, were analyzed through statistical tests. Main concerns in the analysis were the effect economic decline and September 11, which happened simultaneously with the time-of-day pricing program and could also affect transit ridership. Results show that even though there was a decrease in transit ridership starting from 2001, the reason was found to be mainly the economic decline, and partly the inconvenience and increased transit travel time due to the infrastructure loss after September 11. There was no indicator of a negative effect of time-of-day pricing on transit ridership.