NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will take over operation and maintenance of the light rail River Line from current contract operator Alstom, a process beginning today, the agency and company have announced.
The decision came “after several years of working closely together to assess the conditions of the River Line,” NJ Transit and Alstom said in a joint statement. NJ Transit will assume full responsibility for operations and maintenance by the end of the year.
“This mutually agreed decision reflects the evolving investment needs of the service, which have grown beyond the current scope of Alstom’s contract covering River Line operations and maintenance,” the statement reads. “This transition will enable NJ Transit to be best positioned to shape and implement the next steps that will strengthen and enhance the future of the service.”
The River Line, unusual as a light rail line using diesel-powered equipment (articulated two-car trainsets built in Switzerland by Stadler), is a 34-mile, 21-station route between Camden and Trenton, N.J. Service was launched in March 2004 on a former Conrail line purchased from the freight railroad in 1999. Alstom acquired the operating contract through its purchase of Bombardier Transportation in 2021.
Interesting that the Bombardier contract wasn’t structured for long term success/partnership. Though actually 21 years isn’t a bad run. I guess the question is whether NJ Transit can run and maintain the service for what they have been paying the contractors.
A daring move from NJ Transit despite tight budget.
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