NJ Transit Board Approves $65.6 Million for Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Improvements

(Railfanning.org News Wire) — NJ Transit’s Board of Directors has authorized $65.6 million for capital improvements on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system, the first allocation of a planned $250 million capital investment over the next five years.Ship by Rail

The funds will support elevator upgrades at the 8th Street, 9th Street and Bergenline Avenue stations, overhauling light rail vehicles and right-of-way improvements, among other items that have been prioritized to improve the customer experience.

“The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail serves 48,000 customers a day, and we plan to invest $250 million over the next five years to improve reliability across the system,” NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri said. “This initial round of capital investment will fund elevator modernization at three priority stations, vehicle overhauls, upgrades to the Weehawken and Bergenline tunnels, and improvements to passenger safety, so our customers can look forward to a smoother, more reliable ride for years to come.”

The capital expenditure is separate from the existing 15-year, $1.6 billion contract with ACI-Herzog Joint Venture of Boston, Massachusetts, which assumed daily system maintenance and operation in 2025. The Federal Transit Administration, Transportation Trust Fund and the NJ Transit Light Rail Operating Budget are the anticipated sources for the capital improvement projects.

The HBLR, which encompasses 24 stations along 20.6 miles of the Hudson River waterfront in Hudson County, includes 52 light rail vehicles servicing 48,000 daily customers. The system has been operating since Sept. 13, 2025, under an operations and maintenance contract with ACI-Herzog to provide operations, maintenance and a capital asset replacement program.

The Board anticipates authorizing additional capital improvement funding over the next five years, as needed, for up to $250 million.

In addition to elevator, vehicle and safety upgrades, capital improvements also include technology and communications upgrades and a passenger safety initiative.