NJ Transit is planing to use a $99.5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to modernize the 31-year-old Meadowlands Bus Garage in Secaucus to accommodate electric buses.
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said the grant will be “transformational” in updating transit infrastructure.
“In the most densely populated state in the country, it is critical that we keep our people moving while still leading the nation with bold environmental goals. This funding marks an important step in our transition toward a 100% zero-emissions bus fleet which is essential as we work to achieve environmental justice and equity across the state,” Murphy said.
The move aligns with the agency’s Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan, which includes installing charging equipment and constructing shelter and maintenance facilities.
Transitioning to electric buses represents a paradigm shift in how we power our mass transit system and one that is already underway with our deployment of electric buses in the Camden region,” said DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor.
“Through grants like this from FTA, we can continue transforming that vision for the future into reality and put New Jersey on track to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly transportation network,” O’Connor added.
The 10-year strategy also includes a comprehensive transition and investment plan for converting its bus fleet to zero emissions and establishing priorities and processes for incorporating clean energy options in its operations and procurement practices.
It follows the agency’s pilot program in Southern New Jersey at the Newton Avenue Garage in Camden, where eight battery electric buses are now in operation.
Meadowlands Garage operates 32 bus routes in Hudson County, covering more than 6.4 million miles annually, and serving diverse NJ communities. The outdoor charging facility project is currently anticipated to be completed in 2028.
“We can’t thank the FTA enough for this significant grant. When combined with their previous awards, we’re able to accelerate the advancements of our Zero Emission Bus Program,” said NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett.
The funds will support the design and construction of an outdoor charging facility with a canopy design and pantographs supplying electricity to the buses. Opened in 1993, the Meadowlands Garage was designed to accommodate only diesel buses and currently lacks infrastructure to support electric vehicle transition.
Phase one of the construction will provide charging equipment for 67 buses but will install the infrastructure to expand the site to accommodate 130 buses in later phases. This project not only allows NJ TRANSIT to shelter, charge, and maintain electric buses, but takes the projected growing demand for service into account for historically disadvantaged communities and includes workforce development activities and training.
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.