New Jersey luminaries previewed the next generation of NJ Transit’s multilevel rail cars, which were unveiled today at an event at the agency’s Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny.
The new cars, manufactured by Alstom Transportation in Plattsburgh, New York, will begin entering service mid-next year and will comply with the latest federal regulations, including Positive Train Control. They will replace 40-plus-year-old single-level cars, and their maximum speed will increase to 110 miles per hour.
The Multilevel III Power Cars are Electric Multiple Units, meaning they 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.
Officials said the new cars are the first of their kind in North America.
“Providing modern, reliable equipment is a critical component to improving New Jersey’s infrastructure, particularly with regard to public transit,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “These multilevel rail cars are equipped with innovative features that meet the everyday needs of our commuters. Upon their completion, these upgraded rail cars will expand access to reliable and comfortable transportation for NJ TRANSIT riders.”
In December of 2018, the NJ Transit Board of Directors approved a rail rolling stock vehicle procurement award to Bombardier Transit Corp., now Alstom Transportation Inc., for 113 Multilevel III rail vehicles to replace the single-level, self-propelled Arrow III rail vehicles manufactured more than 40 years ago.
In February 2022, the NJ Transit Board approved the purchase of an additional 25 Multilevel III vehicles. In July 2024, the Board approved the purchase of an additional 36 Multilevel III vehicles, bringing the total number of new cars to 174 since 2018.
