History of NJ Transit in Timeline
NJ Transit (NJT), formally the New Jersey Transit Corporation, is a state-owned public transportation system serving New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. It provides bus, light rail, and commuter rail services, linking New Jersey to major commercial hubs like New York City and Philadelphia. NJT plays a crucial role in regional connectivity and public mobility. In 2024, NJ Transit reported a ridership of 225,620,400.
1908: Lackawanna Cut-Off Construction
Construction of the Lackawanna Cut-Off began in 1908.
1911: Lackawanna Cut-Off Construction completed
Construction of the Lackawanna Cut-Off completed in 1911.
1941: CNJ Operated Trains on this Route
Prior to the 1941 cancellation, the CNJ operated Blue Comet trains (Jersey City-Atlantic City) and some local trains on this route.
1970: Erie Lackawanna Ends Long-Distance Service
In 1970, Erie Lackawanna last provided long-distance service with the Lake Cities.
1976: Conrail Formed
In 1976, Conrail was formed through the merging of several financially troubled railroads.
July 17, 1979: NJ Transit Founding
On July 17, 1979, NJ Transit was founded as an offspring of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), mandated to address transportation problems.
March 1980: MOM Line Proposed
In March 1980, the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) line was originally proposed by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
1983: NJT Assumes Commuter Rail Operation
In 1983, NJ Transit assumed operation of all commuter rail service in New Jersey from Conrail.
1983: Service Ran on the West Trenton Line Prior
Service ran on the West Trenton Line prior to 1983.
May 2001: New Jersey Acquires Right-of-Way of Lackawanna Cut-Off
In May 2001, New Jersey acquired the right-of-way of the Lackawanna Cut-Off.
October 21, 2001: Newark Liberty International Airport Station Opens
On October 21, 2001, NJ Transit opened a new station at Newark Liberty International Airport.
December 15, 2003: Secaucus Junction Transfer Station Opens
On December 15, 2003, NJ Transit opened the Secaucus Junction transfer station, connecting its two commuter networks in northern New Jersey for the first time.
2004: NJT Estimates Cost of West Trenton Line
As of 2004, NJT's estimate of the cost for the West Trenton Line was $197 million.
October 31, 2005: NJT Takes Over Clocker Service
On October 31, 2005, NJ Transit took over Clocker (NY–Philadelphia) service from Amtrak.
2006: Jamesburg and Monroe Township Oppose the MOM Line
As of 2006, the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) line was opposed by Jamesburg and Monroe Township.
February 2008: Corzine Withdraws Monmouth Junction Alignment
In mid-February 2008, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine withdrew the Monmouth Junction alignment from the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) Plan.
May 2009: Compromise on MOM Line Route Reached
In late May 2009, representatives of the three counties agreed to back one potential route from Ocean County to Red Bank for the MOM Line, instead of to Monmouth Junction, ending years of stalemate.
2009: NJT Study Estimates Cost to Restore Lackawanna Cut-Off
A 2009 study by NJT estimated that bringing the Lackawanna Cut-Off line back into operation to Scranton, Pennsylvania, would cost approximately $551 million.
August 2010: Federal Funds Received to Investigate MOM Line
In August 2010, NJT received $534,375 in Federal Funds to investigate the possibilities of a MOM line.
2011: NJT Equips Bus Fleet with Real-Time Location
In 2011, NJ Transit announced that it would equip its entire bus fleet with real-time location, creating the basis for "next bus" scheduling information.
2011: Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project Begins
In 2011, the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project from Port Morris to Andover began.
October 2012: Rail Operations Flooded During Hurricane Sandy
During Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, the rail operations center of NJ Transit was flooded, damaging locomotive engines and rail cars.
October 2015: FTA Requests Study to Update Cost Figures for Lackawanna Cut-Off
In October 2015, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requested that a preliminary engineering study be performed in order to update the cost figures on the previous study for the Lackawanna Cut-Off.
2016: Restart of Construction Projected for Lackawanna Cut-Off Project
Based on projections from NJ Transit, the restart of construction, including extensive work on Roseville Tunnel, was to occur in mid- to late-2016.
2016: West Shore Route Included in Transportation Improvement Program
The West Shore Route project has been included in the NJ Transit's portion of the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the fiscal years of 2016.
2018: Final Design Completed for New Hudson River Rail Tunnel
As of 2018, the final design was completed for a new Hudson River rail tunnel serving Penn Station, New York. It is being advanced through the U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant.
2018: Hurricane Sandy Repair Projects
As of 2018, there were several projects in progress related to Hurricane Sandy repairs along the HBLR and at Hoboken Terminal.
2018: Preliminary Engineering Begins for Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension
In 2018, preliminary engineering began for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail extension in Jersey City from West Side Avenue Station to Route 440.
2019: Final EIS Expected
In 2019, the final EIS was expected to be completed for the extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from North Bergen to Englewood.
2019: Original Expected Completion Date for Glassboro-Camden Line
The Glassboro-Camden Line was originally expected to be completed by 2019, but faced construction delays.
2019: West Shore Route Included in Transportation Improvement Program
The West Shore Route project has been included in the NJ Transit's portion of the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the fiscal years of 2019.
2020: Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension Project Ongoing
As of 2020, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail extension project is still ongoing after upgrades were made to West Side Avenue Station.
2020: Hoboken Terminal Repairs Said to be Complete
Repairs to Hoboken Terminal were said to be complete by 2020.
2020: Re-Opening of Service to Andover Projected
The re-opening of service to Andover for the Lackawanna Cut-Off project was projected to occur in 2020.
February 2021: Environmental Assessment Published for Glassboro-Camden Line
In February 2021, an environmental assessment was published for the Glassboro–Camden Line.
December 2022: Federal Grant Received for Transit-Oriented Development Study
As of December 2022, NJT received a $600K federal grant to study transit-oriented development along the proposed Hudson–Bergen Light Rail extension.
2023: Projected Completion Date for Andover Service
As of 2023, the projected completion date for Andover service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off line is 2027.
2024: System Ridership
In 2024, NJ Transit's system had a ridership of 225,620,400.
2027: Projected Completion Date for Andover Service
As of 2023, the projected completion date for Andover service on the Lackawanna Cut-Off line is 2027.
2028: Projected Operational Date for Glassboro-Camden Line
The Glassboro-Camden Line is projected to be operational by 2028.
