NJ TRANSIT APPROVES NEW OPERATOR FOR HUDSON BERGEN LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM

Contract To Begin in September 2025 Includes Operation and Maintenance of the HBLR System

November 13, 2024

NEWARK, NJ – The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors has approved a contract for a new operator of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system. The contract was awarded to ACI-Herzog JV which will become the second operator since the HBLR began operating in 2000.  The contract includes operation of the light rail system and the maintenance of the light rail vehicles, infrastructure and the right-of-way.

“With this new contract, NJ TRANSIT reaffirms its focus on maintaining the highest standard of service our HBLR customers have come to expect, while supporting the continued growth of Hudson County,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett.  

The approved contract includes a 15-year base period with two five-year options for extension. The cost is not to exceed $1,517,057,398.99 subject to the availability of funds.

Since its inception, HBLR has been run under a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) contract. The construction component of the DBOM contract was completed and service began in 2000.  That contract is approaching expiration in 2025.  The current contractor will transition the operation and maintenance of the system to ACI-Herzog by September 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.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.