Light rail in New Jersey

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Light rail in New Jersey is provided by NJ Transit, a state-owned corporation which also provides bus and commuter rail services. In 2023, the light rail system had a ridership of 20,827,300. [1] Light rail, among other forms of transit, is a major part of the state's Smart Growth policy.

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Hudson–Bergen Light Rail

Two HBLR trains near Exchange Place Hudson bergen exchange place.jpg
Two HBLR trains near Exchange Place

The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a service that connects the Hudson County communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and North Bergen with 23 stops along 3 services.

This line was borne out of a public-private partnership in the mid-1990s, with Washington Group International, doing business as 21st Century Rail, chosen for a DBOM contract for the line to design, build, operate, and maintain the line for its first 15 years. With construction beginning in 1997, the first segments, from Exchange Place to West Side Avenue and 34th Street opening in 2000, with service to Pavonia-Newport, Hoboken Terminal, 22nd Street, Lincoln Harbor, and Tonnelle Avenue opening in later segments between 2000 and 2005, and 8th Street opening in 2011.

The current HBLR fleet consists of 53 low-floor electric light rail cars.

As of October 1, 2015, the current one-way fare on the HBLR is $2.25. The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, or a valid pass.

Newark Light Rail

Newark Light Rail train No. 104 crosses Broad Street near Riverfront Stadium New Jersey Transit Newark Light Rail Kinkisharyo104.jpg
Newark Light Rail train No. 104 crosses Broad Street near Riverfront Stadium

The Newark Light Rail (NLR) is a light rail system composed of two sections, the Newark City Subway, originally opened in the 1930s by PSCT as the No. 7 line, and the sole surviving line of several that ran into this tunnel, and the Broad Street Line which operates from Newark Penn to Newark Broad Street via Washington Park and Riverfront Stadium, which opened in 2006. This line is also included in NJT Bus' Central Division, dating back to its days as a streetcar line.

Originally constructed as a streetcar line using PCC streetcars, the Newark City Subway ran from Newark Penn to a loop at the Newark city line located at what was then called Franklin Avenue. With the conversion of operation from PCC streetcars to cars similar to what is used on the HBLR, the Franklin Avenue loop was removed and replaced by Branch Brook Park, with service extended to Grove Street.

NLR utilizes a fleet of 20 cars, similar to the HBLR fleet.

As of October 1, 2015, NLR one-way fares are equivalent to a one-zone bus ride of $1.60, with the ability to purchase through tickets valid for a ride on Newark Light Rail and on a connecting bus to Bloomfield, Passaic and points beyond up to 4 local bus fare zones (generally, to Paterson, Willowbrook, and West Caldwell). The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, bus through-ticket, or a valid pass.

River Line

A two-car River Line train boards customers at Walter Rand Transportation Center Riverline At Walter Rand.jpg
A two-car River Line train boards customers at Walter Rand Transportation Center

The River Line is a diesel tram-train light rail line operating from Trenton to Entertainment Center in Camden, with the line, except at the ends, running along the former Bordentown Secondary of Conrail, servicing 30 stops along the 34-mile route in the Route 130 corridor. This line is operated under contract to New Jersey Transit by Southern New Jersey Rail Group, a Bombardier/Bechtel joint-venture.

As of October 1, 2015, River Line fares are equivalent to a one-zone bus ride of $1.60. The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, bus through-ticket, or a valid pass.

Planned projects

New Jersey Transit is planning to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail past its current terminus at Tonnelle Avenue to Englewood along the Northern Branch, an existing freight rail line. It has reached the final environmental impact statement stage, but its construction funding is not in place.

The Delaware River Port Authority is planning to build the Glassboro-Camden Line, a diesel light rail from the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden to Rowan University in Glassboro, along an existing freight rail line. Governor Jon Corzine formally endorsed the light rail, which will cost an estimated $1.3 billion, and New Jersey has committed $500 million in funding. [2]

In 2017 NJT released made a request for proposal for Passaic-Bergen Rail Line to examine current conditions on the line and needs of communities it would serve. [3] [4]

Canceled projects

The Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link and the Union County Light Rail have not advanced and been removed from NJT list of capital projects.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NJ Transit</span> Public transportation system

New Jersey Transit Corporation, branded as NJ Transit or NJTransit and often shortened to NJT, is a state-owned public transportation system that serves the U.S. state of New Jersey and portions of the states of New York and Pennsylvania. It operates bus, light rail, and commuter rail services throughout the state, connecting to major commercial and employment centers both within the state and in its two adjacent major cities, New York City and Philadelphia. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 209,259,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newark Light Rail</span> Light rail system

The Newark Light Rail (NLR) is a light rail system serving Newark, New Jersey, and surrounding areas, owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by its bus operations division. The service consists of two segments, the original Newark City Subway (NCS), and the extension to Broad Street station. The City Subway opened on May 16, 1935, while the combined Newark Light Rail service was officially inaugurated on July 17, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Line (NJ Transit)</span> Light rail line in Southern New Jersey, USA

The River Line is a hybrid rail line in southern New Jersey that connects the cities of Camden and Trenton, New Jersey's capital. It is so named because its route between the two cities is parallel to the Delaware River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hudson–Bergen Light Rail</span> Light rail system in New Jersey, United States

The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit (NJT) and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, at the city line with West New York, and North Bergen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic City Line</span> Commuter rail line in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

The Atlantic City Line (ACL) is a commuter rail line operated by NJ Transit (NJT) in the United States between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, New Jersey, operating along the corridor of the White Horse Pike. It runs over trackage that was controlled by both the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. It shares trackage with SEPTA and Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) until it crosses the Delaware River on Conrails Delair Bridge into New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Transit Center</span> Train station in Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton Transit Center is the main passenger train station in Trenton, New Jersey. It is the southernmost stop in New Jersey on the Northeast Corridor. It is the terminus for NJ Transit trains to and from New York City and SEPTA Trenton Line Regional Rail trains to and from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an intermediate station for Amtrak trains traveling between the two cities along the Northeast Corridor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newport station (Hudson–Bergen Light Rail)</span> Light rail station in Jersey City, New Jersey

Newport station is a station of the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail in Jersey City, New Jersey. Located on Mall Drive East near the Newport Centre shopping mall, the station services trains operating between Hoboken Terminal and Tonnelle Avenue station in North Bergen to West Side Avenue in Jersey City and 8th Street station in Bayonne. The station is also a stop on the Bayonne Flyer, an express service on the light rail. Newport station also serves as a transfer to the PATH line between Newark Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the 33rd Street and World Trade Center stations in New York City at its Newport station. The station consists of a single island platform to service two tracks. As of 2014, it is the busiest station on the HBLR system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey Avenue station (Hudson–Bergen Light Rail)</span>

Jersey Avenue station is a station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) located south of Grand Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. The station opened on April 15, 2000. There are two tracks and an island platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty State Park station</span> Light rail station in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States

Liberty State Park station is a station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) located between Communipaw and Johnston Avenues in Jersey City, New Jersey. The station opened on April 15, 2000. There are two tracks and two side platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Side Avenue station</span> NJ Transit Light Rail Station

West Side Avenue station is a station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) in the West Side neighborhood in Jersey City, New Jersey. Located on the east side of West Side Avenue, the station is the terminal of the West Side Avenue branch of the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail, with service to Tonnelle Avenue station in North Bergen. The station consists of a single island platform and a pair of tracks that end at the station. The station contains a pedestrian bridge over West Side Avenue to a small parking lot and bus stop on the west side of the street. The station is accessible to people with disabilities, with an elevator in the pedestrian overpass and train-level platforms. West Side Avenue station opened on April 15, 2000 as part of the original operating segment of the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">34th Street station (Hudson–Bergen Light Rail)</span> New Jersey Transit Hudson–Bergen Light Rail station

34th Street station is a station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) in Bayonne, New Jersey. The third of four stations in the city of Bayonne, 34th Street is located at the intersection of Avenue E and East 34th Street, the station doubles as a park and ride with access to Route 440 southbound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Street station (Hudson–Bergen Light Rail)</span> Station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail in Bayonne, New Jersey

22nd Street station is a station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) in Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey. Located between East 22nd and East 21st Streets in Bayonne, the station is the second of four stops in the city. The station contains two tracks with a set of two side platforms, an outlier from the other stations of Bayonne, which all contain island platforms. 22nd Street serves two different services, the local line between 8th Street in Bayonne and Hoboken Terminal. It also serves the Bayonne Flyer, an express between the four Bayonne stops and Hoboken. The station is handicap accessible with elevators and platform levels that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 standards. 22nd Street opened on November 15, 2003 as an extension from 34th Street, serving as the terminal until 8th Street opened on January 31, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonnelle Avenue station</span>

Tonnelle Avenue station is a ground-level station on the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) located at 51st Street in North Bergen, New Jersey. The station opened for service on February 25, 2006.

The Northern Branch Corridor Project is a proposed extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) from its northern terminus into eastern Bergen County, New Jersey, initially proposed in 2001. If built, the new service would use the right-of-way of the Northern Branch on which the Erie Lackawanna Railroad ran passenger service until October 3, 1966, and is currently a lightly used, stub-ended freight rail line owned by CSX Transportation. The Northern Branch Corridor is at the foot of the west side of the Hudson Palisades in the Hackensack River valley, running for much of its length parallel to Overpeck Creek. After mixed reactions and extensive community input to a draft environmental impact statement (EIS), it was decided in 2013 to terminate the line at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. In March 2017 the Supplementary Draft Environmental Impact Statement was approved by the Federal Transit Administration allowing for a period of public reaction. A separately-conceived and funded bridge at 69th Street in North Bergen, necessary for operation of the system, has been completed. In 2017 NJ Transit estimated that the line would open in 2029.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project</span>

The Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project is a project under study by NJ Transit to reintroduce passenger service on a portion of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) right-of-way (ROW) in Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties using newly built, FRA-compliant diesel multiple unit rail cars. Plans call for service to run from Hawthorne south through Paterson, east to Hackensack and then southeast to North Bergen, where it would join the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Bergen Yard</span>

The North Bergen Yard is freight rail yard and intermodal terminal in North Bergen, New Jersey parallel to Tonnelle Avenue between 49th and 69th Streets. Located within the North Jersey Shared Assets Area, the facility is part of CSX Transportation (CSXT) and the origination point of its CSX River Subdivision at the southern end of the Albany Division. On its west side, the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) runs the length of the yard and operates a bulk transloading operation immediately adjacent to it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bus rapid transit in New Jersey</span>

Bus rapid transit in New Jersey comprises limited-stop bus service, exclusive bus lanes (XBL) and bus bypass shoulders (BBS). Under the banner Next Generation Bus New Jersey Transit (NJT), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and the metropolitan planning organizations of New Jersey (MPO) which recommend and authorize transportation projects are undertaking the creation of several additional bus rapid transit systems (BRT) in the state.

69th Street is a proposed interchange station in North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey. It would serve passengers on two lines under consideration by NJ Transit, the Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project and the Northern Branch Corridor Project, the latter of which is an extension of the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail. The station would located at-grade west the North Bergen Yard and Tonnelle Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S59 and S89 buses</span> Bus routes in New York and New Jersey

The S59 and S89 constitute a public transit line in the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey. The S59 runs wholly in New York City, between Port Richmond and either Eltingville or Tottenville in Staten Island, largely running on Richmond Avenue. The S89 makes limited stops along Richmond Avenue, running from Bayonne, New Jersey, to Eltingville, Staten Island, New York. They are both based out of the Yukon Depot.

References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  2. Nussbaum, Paul (May 13, 2009). "Plan for Gloucester County commuter rail link to Phila. outlined". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  3. "NJ TRANSIT Reactivates Proposal for Rail Service Between Hawthorne, Paterson, and Hackensack". 10 August 2017.
  4. "NJ Transit Procurement Calendar". New Jersey Transit. Retrieved December 5, 2017.