Transportation (Rail) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2821: Directs DOT and NJT to study and report on transportation infrastructure needs in coastal counties.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and New Jersey Transit (NJT) to study and report on transportation infrastructure needs in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. The study must cover repair/maintenance of existing roads, bridges, and rail lines; potential new construction; environmental impacts; emergency evacuation planning (including routes and alternatives); traffic congestion; estimated costs; and federal funding availability. The report, due within six months, will inform decisions on coastal transportation improvements. This directly affects residents and emergency planning in these six coastal counties.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2973: Requires NJT to operate off-peak direct rail service to Manhattan on Raritan Valley Line.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to provide direct rail service from the Raritan Valley Line (RVL) to Manhattan during off-peak hours at a level equal to or greater than the service offered during fiscal year 2018. It directly affects RVL commuters traveling to Manhattan during non-peak times, ensuring reliable, transfer-free access without reduced service. The key provision establishes 2018 as a baseline standard for service frequency, mandating NJT maintain or improve upon that level. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1530: Provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety.

This bill (A 1530) requires railroad operators of "dangerous hazardous trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of specific hazardous substances like anhydrous ammonia) to maintain a minimum of two crew members and clearly display the railroad company name. Exceptions apply for mechanical assistance, tourist trains, yard moves, or small operations with ≤15 employees operating at ≤15 mph. It directly affects railroad companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials, aiming to improve safety through crew staffing and identification. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.300.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1524: Concerns NJT transitway and Meadowlands public transportation.

This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) to complete the Meadowlands Transitway project - a rapid transit system connecting Secaucus Junction Station to the Meadowlands Sports and Entertainment Complex - by May 1, 2026. By May 1, 2025, NJT must assess if the project will meet this deadline; if not, it must develop and publish a public transit plan by September 1, 2025 to address increased transit demand at the complex by the 2026 deadline. The bill explicitly excludes the existing BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line (operating since 2009) from this requirement, focusing solely on the new transitway project.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3037: Requires NJT to expand or modify routes and hours of certain transportation services and to solicit input from individuals diagnosed with autism.

This bill (A 3037) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to adjust routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year to better meet the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from individuals with autism and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates that NJT annually gather this input to assess whether current service adjustments are sufficient or if further changes are needed. It directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder by aiming to improve their access to public transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2460: Requires NJT to offer discount fares to certain individuals.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to offer discounted fares on tickets or passes for specific groups: K-12 students commuting to school, full-time college/university students, participants in workforce training programs, individuals receiving Work First New Jersey benefits, and newly employed residents meeting strict criteria (e.g., starting at minimum wage, working 20+ hours/week, unemployed 30+ days prior). The discounts apply to all NJT services, including buses, trains, and light rail. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill directly affects eligible students, trainees, low-income recipients, and new workers seeking affordable transit access.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3940: Permits municipalities to require developers to make contributions for mass transit improvements.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to require developers to contribute to the cost of off-tract mass transit improvements (like bus stops or rail access) that are necessitated by new construction, similar to existing rules for streets and utilities. It directly affects developers building in municipalities that adopt such regulations, requiring them to pay a fair, pro-rata share based on municipal plans. Key provisions include mandating consultation with mass transit agencies when creating these regulations and giving developers one year to challenge the payment amount legally. The change updates current law, which previously only permitted contributions for street, water, sewer, and drainage improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2646: Makes supplemental appropriation of up to $10 million to DOT for construction of highway guard rail along entirety of Route 208 through Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, and Oakland in sections without highway guard rail, where necessary to ensure health and safety of motorists and residents whose properties abut Route 208.

This bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) for installing highway guard rail along Route 208 in specific areas of Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, and Oakland. It directly affects motorists and residents whose properties border Route 208 in sections lacking guard rail, aiming to improve safety. The key provision is the targeted funding for guard rail installation where needed, with the DOT exempt from standard design manual guidelines for this project. The bill creates a concrete policy change by allocating dedicated funds for this specific infrastructure safety upgrade.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Rail Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2679: Requires NJT to provide Wi-Fi service on passenger trains.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to provide onboard Wi-Fi service on all passenger trains it owns or operates within six months of the law taking effect. It directly affects NJT as the implementing entity and all passengers traveling on NJT rail services. The key provision mandates that every rail passenger vehicle must have Wi-Fi, expanding beyond NJT’s current station-based Wi-Fi hotspots. The law takes effect immediately upon approval.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 675: Prohibits NJT from making major alterations to rail yards located near certain environmentally sensitive areas.

Bill A-675 prohibits New Jersey Transit (NJT) from making major rail yard modifications - such as adding tracks, building fuel tanks, or upgrading facilities - near environmentally sensitive areas. It specifically applies to rail yards located within coastal zones, within 1,000 feet of wetlands or tidal water bodies, or where water flows into the Barnegat Bay Estuary. NJT must obtain the Governor’s written authorization after consulting the Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA before proceeding with such changes. This law aims to protect ecological areas by requiring environmental review and approvals before rail yard alterations.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Rail

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