PORT JERVIS – The state will invest $2 million in upgrades at the Port Jervis Metro-North Railroad station, State Senator John Bonacic announced Friday. Bonacic was joined in making the announcement with Metro-North President Howard Permut, Mayor Gary Lopriore and Councilman Damian Brady.

The funding comes from the 2005-2009 MTA capital program reserve and will be used to improve station amenities and accessibility as well as design yard expansion that will allow for an increased number of express trains for commuters. Currently there are 12 roundtrip trains. Eventually, two more will be added, said Bonacic.

“This is a good to be encouraging mass transit, to be making an investment in our future to encourage ridership on the MTA and on all of mass transit’s assets,” he said.

Permut said the Port Jervis line has become the shining star of the system.

“On the line as a whole, ridership has gone up 50 percent in the last five years and at Port Jervis station, which is the fastest growing station, ridership has gone up 150 percent.”

Port Jervis is the last station on the line, and is popular with riders from western Orange County, neighboring Sullivan County, and Pike County, Pennsylvania.

The upgrades to the train station will add to the renaissance Port Jervis is experiencing, said Bonacic.