Keep Reading: Port Authority Breaks Ground on Newark Liberty Rail Station Expansion
Port Authority of NY/NJ Reports Strong October Across Multiple Transit Modes
Despite FAA disruptions, Port Authority had a huge October: 12.3 millioni airport passengers, strong PATH ridership, steady crossings, and solid cargo.

PATH welcomed 50.7 million riders over the first 10 months of the year.
Photo: PANYNJ
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported strong October 2025 activity across its airports, transit system, seaport, and vehicular crossings, even amid disruptions tied to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staffing crunch during the federal government shutdown.
According to a release, PATH commuter rail ridership continued its recovery. October was PATH’s second-busiest month since the pandemic, with 5.7 million riders, just 0.1% below October 2024, the post-pandemic high. Ridership reached 75.2% of October 2019 levels.
Average weekday ridership in October 2025 was 216,640 passengers. This was the second-highest average weekday figure since the pandemic, 0.5% behind September 2025. It was 2.4% above October 2024.
PATH welcomed 50.7 million riders over the first 10 months of the year. The total surpassed the same period of 2024 by 6.4%.
Plus, bridge and tunnel traffic was steady. The agency recorded 10.4 million eastbound vehicles at its six crossings in October, down 1.4% from October 2024 and 0.6% below pre-pandemic October 2019.
For the first 10 months of the year, crossings totaled 101.2 million eastbound vehicles, about 0.4% below 2024 after adjusting for the leap year and 0.5% less than 2019.
Port Authority Sees Strong Airports, Solid Port Volumes
Port Authority airports welcomed 12.3 million passengers in October 2025, the third-busiest October on record.
Traffic dipped slightly from 2024 due to FAA staffing issues and severe weather: JFK was down 2.9%, LaGuardia was down 1.2%, and Newark was flat. Year to date, airports served 119.4 million passengers, 2.2% below last year’s record pace.
When it came to moving stuff, cargo volumes held firm. According to the release, the Port of New York and New Jersey maintained its position as the nation’s "second-busiest cargo gateway" for loaded containers year to date. From January through October, the port handled 5,011,322 loaded TEUs.
Overall, the Port Authority said October’s results show resilient demand across the region’s transportation network, even with some issues on the federal level.
More Management
Building Stronger Leaders, More Resilient Transit Teams
Dr. Carol Parker Walsh discusses leadership development, employee retention, workplace culture, and preparing transit’s workforce for AI and automation.
Read More →
APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO Kicks Off in Chicago
After 45 years, APTA returns to Chicago with a focus on next-generation fleets, AI, connected transit networks, and the funding strategies shaping public transportation’s future.
Read More →
New York MTA Warns Federal Tariffs Could Add $1 Billion to Rolling Stock Costs
The agency said tariffs on specialized imported components could reduce the purchasing power of its $23 billion investment in new subway cars, railcars, and buses.
Read More →
From the Show Floor: What’s Happening at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Follow the latest product launches, partnerships, technology updates, and transit industry announcements coming out of APTA TRANSform & EXPO in Chicago.
Read More →
How Valley Metro Is Balancing Transit Growth With the Rider Experience
The APTA award-winning agency is pairing rapid system expansion with investments in workforce, safety, technology, and the fundamentals of transit service.
Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve
In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Complete Coach Works’ Business Development Manager Mark Hollenbeck and METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sit down with Obed Mejia, Senior Technical Trainer for Bus Maintenance, at LA Metro to discuss how rapidly evolving bus technology is changing the maintenance shop — and the skills technicians need to keep pace.
Read More →
Michael Schneider Joins Paslay Group to Expand Transportation Practice
The longtime transportation executive will help Paslay Group grow its advisory and program management work across transit, highway, and other infrastructure sectors.
Read More →
People Movement: Connectpoint Expands Leadership Team, Stadler Names New Group CEO, and More
In this edition, we also spotlight recent personnel moves at Burns, UZURV, and more, highlighting the people taking on new roles across the transportation industry.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →