Not only does the PATH train have signal problems on the tracks sometimes, but even when they are running smoothly, there can still be communication issues. What do I mean by this? Well, the conductors making announcements can sometimes send mixed messages.
On one day, the train gets to a station and as the riders get on, the conductor will say, "There is another train right behind us." Or, "There will be another train in five minutes." In other words, stop trying to board the train.
But then on another day, the conductor will say, "Step all the way into the train." In other words, keep pushing forward. Keep packing them in.
In the first instance, a train comes to the station packed. A passenger can wait for the next train. But then that next train could be just as packed, and you just might hear the same message again. Or the train doesn't actually get there in five minutes.
In the second scenario, a train comes to the station and the conductor basically insists that there is plenty of space. He announces to the ones already on board to step in, and it encourages the ones outside to move in. That's fine if there actually is room. But on many occasions, it's already packed to capacity but more and more people keep coming because the conductor leads them to believe there is more space.
So when conductors make these announcements, how do they decide? Unless they are walking from one end of the train to another, they don't know the situations in each car. Are they following orders from a dispatcher? Is there someone who's aware of the big picture? Most likely not.
Here is an example to illustrate how unaware the conductors could be. One morning at Journal Square, which is the starting point of the route, the train pulls up and only the first three cars' doors open. Those are boarded while the rest of us at the other cars are standing by the closed doors, waiting for them to open. After a few minutes, all the doors close and the train prepares to pull out.
Collectively, we all go, "Huh?" And then the conductor makes this announcement, "Please step back from the edge of the platform." For our safety, of course. Never mind the fact that you were the ones who put us in danger in the first place by never opening the doors and having the train move.
Nobody's perfect of course, but it's amazing that this conductor never put two and two together. The train is departing, yet the station is still crowded, so much so that he is compelled to make an announcement. The light bulb never went off over his head.
This is why I don't like these announcements. When conductors insinuate that there is either enough room or not enough room, they probably mean well, but they are not speaking for themselves. Riders will generally make room when there is space. And riders will generally wait for the next one only if they feel like it, regardless of whether there's an announcement about another train being immediately behind.
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