On Wednesday night, the NJ Transit Board of Directors approved a $1.567 billion contract for the operations and maintenance of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line, a crucial transit system serving Hudson County. This 15-year contract, awarded to the ACI-Herzog Joint Venture, is set to replace the current agreement, which has been in place since the mid-1990s and is set to expire next year.
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system currently operates 24 stations and covers about 21 miles, all within Hudson County. Plans for a Bergen County extension have been delayed for over 30 years, and the expansion remains stalled despite various attempts.
Contract Details and Approval Process
A request for proposals (RFP) was issued by NJ Transit in January of this year, and by May, three firms had submitted proposals. After careful evaluation, the Technical Evaluation Committee selected ACI-Herzog Joint Venture as the “most qualified responsive and responsible proposer.” The committee’s recommendation was approved by the board in the resolution passed on Wednesday.
ACI-Herzog Joint Venture is a Boston-based company with extensive experience in public transportation. The firm has operated commuter rail systems for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and holds a contract with the Maryland Department of Transportation for the Purple Line rail service in Maryland.
The $1.567 billion contract will be funded by a combination of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. These funds will support transition, operations, and maintenance services for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system.
History and Challenges
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail has been a key transit route for commuters in the region, but it has faced numerous challenges over the years. The system originally began in 2000, but the Bergen County extension has been delayed for more than three decades due to funding and logistical hurdles. Despite these setbacks, the HBLR remains an essential part of the region’s transportation network.
Notably, train reliability has been an ongoing issue. In 2017, HBLR trains ran an average of 25,000 miles before requiring repairs, but that number has declined significantly, with the fleet averaging only 13,350 miles between breakdowns in 2023.
Expansion Delays and Environmental Review
While the HBLR continues to serve commuters in Hudson County, plans to expand the line northward to Englewood have faced continued delays. In 2007, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) granted NJ Transit a “notice of intent” to begin work on an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. However, the FTA rescinded this approval last fall, citing “all-encompassing changes in project design and environmental impacts”. These changes included concerns about flood plains, stormwater management, cultural resources, hazardous materials, traffic, air quality, and other environmental factors.
The proposed 12-mile extension to Englewood has been under consideration since the early 1990s, but a lack of funding has repeatedly stalled progress. Despite these challenges, the vision for a full extension of the light rail system remains part of long-term transit planning for the region.
Looking Ahead
With the approval of the new operations and maintenance contract, NJ Transit aims to stabilize the current Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system while continuing to push for long-term improvements and expansions. The ongoing need for reliable and sustainable transit options in the densely populated Hudson County area underscores the importance of this contract and future planning efforts.
As NJ Transit moves forward with this contract, it remains committed to modernizing the region’s transit infrastructure, addressing system reliability, and working toward the eventual expansion of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line to serve more commuters in the years to come.
