NJ Transit Unveils $3B Plan To Replace Fleet With New Trains and Buses by 2031

NJ Transit rolled out a $3 billion overhaul Monday. The plan will swap out trains, buses, and work vehicles by 2031. Officials will update the entire stock for the first time since the agency started 47 years ago.

At the heart sits an order for 374 new multilevel railcars. These will take the place of worn-out equipment that has plagued commuters for years. Officials displayed the first car at the Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill showed up at the event. President and CEO Kris Kolluri attended, as did U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou and U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez. The showcase put new equipment on display — a 40-foot bus, an Access Link vehicle, and a police mobile command center.

The new trains will run on a different power system. “We are going from trains pulled by locomotives to trains that are actually integrating the power cars,” said Michael Keroulle, president of Alstom North America, according to New Jersey News 12. “This switch enables a faster operation and will shave off minutes from trips.”

Officials also ordered 1,400 new buses. USB charging ports come standard. Onboard Wi-Fi will keep passengers connected while they ride.

Work vehicles get attention too. New Access Link vehicles will serve paratransit riders, while upgraded River LINE Light Rail Cars will carry passengers on that line. A mobile police command center will boost response times when disasters strike or big events draw crowds.

Federal and state money will foot the $3 billion bill across five years. Officials hope the spending fixes what riders hate most — delays, breakdowns, and packed cars that make trips miserable.

New railcars, buses, and work vehicles will start rolling out before this year ends. The whole makeover wraps up in 2031.

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