A new pilot program that calls for National Guard patrols of PATH stations is set to begin next week.

PATH riders can expect to see soldiers patrolling stations throughout New Jersey beginning Wednesday. The Guard troops could start patrolling New York stations as early as Monday.

Many commuters said the increase in security makes them feel a lot safer on the rails. They said the more security, the better.

The National Guard will not be conducting bag searches, but they will be on hand to patrol stations and platforms. However, the Port Authority police will still be in charge of random bag searches.

The pilot program is the result of a January security meeting between New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. That meeting was held in an effort to boost security between the two states.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Port Authority police said since the program is in its beginning stages, some changes may be made.