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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system reported ridership of 76.6 million commuter trips for 2011, the highest figure since the authority took over the system’s operation in 1962. The previous ridership record was set in 2008 at 74.9 million trips.

The 2011 increase comes on the heels of more than $1 billion invested in the PATH system during the past four years for new cars, station upgrades and the launch of a new signal system, PANYNJ officials said in a prepared statement.

“Our multi-billion dollar commitment to transform PATH into a 21st century rail system has paid dividends,” said PANYNJ Chairman David Samson. “More people are taking notice of what PATH has to offer and are choosing it as their preferred mode of travel between New York and New Jersey.”

In November, PATH launched the last of its 340 new rail cars into service, completing a three-year $744 million program.