Inside PATCO's new $19.4M control center in Lindenwold

PATCO has opened a new operations control center in Lindenwold, Camden County, a $19.4 million investment transit leaders say will improve safety, efficiency and reliability for millions of riders.

Most commuters who rely on the system each year will likely never see the building — but officials say they will notice the difference in their daily trips.

“This is going to increase efficiency, safety, our ability to respond to problems, issues, and everything that happens on the line,” said John Hanson, president of PATCO.

The new facility replaces PATCO’s original control tower in Camden, which was built in 1969 and had been in service for more than 50 years.

“People called it a dungeon, it was very closed off. The ceilings were tight and it was overtop of our electrical substation,” said John Rink, PATCO’s general manager.

Inside the new center, staff monitor train movements, track signals and oversee operations in real time.

“All the tracks, the signal system. It will also show where a train is currently on the line,” Rink said.

From dispatch to customer service, the center serves as what officials describe as the “heart of PATCO’s operation.”

Dispatchers can instantly track trains and respond to issues as they arise.

“We would be able to assist them through that problem and correct the issue so the train can move and continue to the terminal point,” said train dispatcher Ranitra Crismond.

The new location in Lindenwold also brings key team members closer together, allowing for faster communication and decision-making.

“It’s going to make things faster and more accurate in terms of dealing with issues on the line, problems on the line, and it’s going to get information to decision makers much more quickly,” Hanson said.

“I can literally walk across from my office — beforehand we would literally have to go from Lindenwold up to Camden,” Rink added.

PATCO leaders say the upgraded technology and improved coordination will ultimately benefit riders with more reliable and efficient service.

“It’s going to improve customer service, safety, and communication all around,” Hanson said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.