NJ Transit Board approves order of 36 additional Multilevel III cars, design contract for Union City Bus Garage and Terminal

The New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Board of Directors has approved the purchase of new rail vehicles and the signing of a new design contract. The initiatives will help to create a more efficient and reliable service across its system.

Out with the old, in with the new

The agency will purchase an additional 36 Multilevel III rail cars that will offer increased seating capacity, mechanical reliability and improved customer amenities. This purchase is a part of NJ Transit’s plan to phase out the oldest single level rail cars from the fleet. 

“This significant investment brings the total of new multilevel rail cars we’ve purchased since 2018 to 174,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “These new cars will substantially reduce the overall age of the rail fleet, improving reliability, capacity and customer comfort.”

Multilevel III cars will offer an increased maximum speed to 110 miles per hour. The cars will be compliant with the latest federal regulations, including Positive Train Control. Other customer amenities will include USB charging ports for customers and new, onboard information displays.

The Multilevel III Power Cars are Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s), are self-propelled and don’t require a separate locomotive.  Electric motors are incorporated within one or a number of the vehicles on the train.

The contract utilizes options on the existing contract with Alstom Transportation at a cost not to exceed $170 million, plus five percent for contingencies, subject to the availability of funds. NJ Transit already has orders in for 138 new Multilevel III vehicles which are in production. The first of these vehicles is scheduled to arrive in New Jersey for testing later this year.

This latest order will add to the February 2022 descion by the NJ Transit Board to purchase an additional 25 Multilevel III vehicles.

Design contract for Union City Bus Garage and Terminal in Union City project

NJ Transit will also be entering into the design phase of its new Union City Bus Garage and Terminal in Union City project after recieving approval from the Board of Directors. The bus facility will support a fleet of electric buses for storage and charging, a service facility for bus cleaning, maintenance and inspection as well as a passenger terminal facility.

The agency has entered into a design contract with HDR Inc. of Newark for the design, engineering and construction assistance services in the amount not to exceed $2.6 million, plus five percent for contingencies, subject to the availability of funds. This phase of the project is expected to provide a 10 percent conceptual design and at least three alternatives and an initially preferred alternative.

NJ Transit recently demolished the former garage building between Bergenline Avenue / New York Avenue and 27th St. /29th St., with plans to transform the area with a new 100,000 square-foot facility. The new garage will accommodate a fleet of 40 sixty foot-long articulated battery-electric buses or 60 40 foot-long battery electric buses.  The design is intended to be standardizable and cost effective so that similar facilities can be easily replicated across the state.

“NJ Transit’s commitment to sustainability is an organizational priority,” Corbett said. “This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a model for cost-effective, sustainable bus operations across New Jersey and represents another important step in advancing our Zero Emission Bus Program.”

The total cost of the project is $92 million and construction is expected to be completed in late 2030.