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Light rail in New Jersey is provided by New Jersey Transit, a corporation which also provides bus and commuter rail services.
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Hudson–Bergen Light Rail
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a service that connects the Hudson County communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and North Bergen with 23 stops along 3 services.
This line was borne out of a public-private partnership in the mid-1990s, with Washington Group International, doing business as 21st Century Rail, chosen for a DBOM contract for the line to design, build, operate, and maintain the line for its first 15 years. With construction beginning in 1997, the first segments, from Exchange Place to West Side Avenue and 34th Street opening in 2000, with service to Pavonia-Newport, Hoboken Terminal, 22nd Street, Lincoln Harbor, and Tonnelle Avenue opening in later segments between 2000 and 2005, and 8th Street opening in 2011.
The current HBLR fleet consists of 53 low-floor electric light rail cars.
As of October 1, 2015, the current one-way fare on the HBLR is $2.25. The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, or a valid pass.
Newark Light Rail
The Newark Light Rail (NLR) is a light rail system composed of two sections, the Newark City Subway, originally opened in the 1930s by PSCT as the No. 7 line, and the sole surviving line of several that ran into this tunnel, and the Broad Street Line which operates from Newark Penn to Newark Broad Street via Washington Park and Riverfront Stadium, which opened in 2006. This line is also included in NJT Bus' Central Division, dating back to its days as a streetcar line.
Originally constructed as a streetcar line using PCC streetcars, the Newark City Subway ran from Newark Penn to a loop at the Newark city line located at what was then called Franklin Avenue. With the conversion of operation from PCC streetcars to cars similar to what is used on the HBLR, the Franklin Avenue loop was removed and replaced with the Branch Brook Park, with service extended to Grove Street.
NLR utilizes a fleet of 20 cars, similar to the HBLR fleet.
As of October 1, 2015, NLR one-way fares are equivalent to a one-zone bus ride of $1.60, with the ability to purchase through tickets valid for a ride on Newark Light Rail and on a connecting bus to Bloomfield, Passaic and points beyond up to 4 local bus fare zones (generally, to Paterson, Willowbrook, and West Caldwell). The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, bus through-ticket, or a valid pass.
River Line
The River Line is a diesel light rail line operating from Trenton to Entertainment Center in Camden, with the line, except at the ends, running along the former Bordentown Secondary of Conrail, servicing 20 stops along the 34-mile route in the Route 130 corridor. This line is operated under contract to New Jersey Transit by Southern New Jersey Rail Group, a Bombardier/Bechtel joint-venture.
As of October 1, 2015, River Line fares are equivalent to a one-zone bus ride of $1.60. The line works under a proof-of-payment system, requiring all riders to have a validated ticket (validated prior to boarding the train), transfer, bus through-ticket, or a valid pass.
Planned projects
New Jersey Transit is planning to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail past its current terminus to Englewood along the Northern Branch, an existing freight rail line. it has reached final environmental impact statement stage, but is construction funding is not in place.
The Delaware River Port Authority is planning to build the Glassboro-Camden Line, a diesel light rail from the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden to Rowan University in Glassboro, along an existing freight rail line. Governor Jon Corzine formally endorsed the light rail, which will cost an estimated $1.3 billion, and New Jersey has committed $500 million in funding.
Canceled projects
The Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link, the Union County Light Rail, and the Passaic-Bergen Rail Line have not advanced and been removed from NJT list of capital projects.