The NJ Transit Board of Directors approved a contract with ACI-Herzog JV to operate the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system.
The contract includes a 15-year base period with two five-year options for extension. It shouldn’t exceed roughly $1.5 billion, subject to funds availability.
ACI-Herzog JV will become the second operator since the HBLR began operating in 2000. The contract includes the operation of the light rail system and the maintenance of the light rail vehicles, infrastructure and the right-of-way.
Since its inception, HBLR has operated under a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) contract. The DBOM contract’s construction component was completed, and service began in 2000.
That contract expires in 2025, and the current contractor will transition the operation and maintenance of the system to ACI-Herzog by Sept. 15, 2025.
The HBLR encompasses 24 stations, running north-south along the Hudson River waterfront in Hudson County for 20.6 miles and delivers service to more than 48,000 daily weekday riders.
