NJ TRANSIT ADVANCES ZERO EMISSIONS BUS CONVERSION WITH GARAGE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
Authorizes Design Work to Prepare Garage in Maplewood for Electric Buses; Conducts Systemwide Survey of Conditions at All Bus Garages
March 14, 2022
NEWARK, NJ – The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today took another important step in the transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet with the awarding of a contract to design the infrastructure required for a limited deployment of battery electric buses at Hilton Garage in Maplewood and conduct a survey of current conditions at all 16 NJ TRANSIT bus garages statewide. This survey will help identify the required infrastructure upgrades needed at each garage in later stages of the zero-emissions transition.
“The electrification of NJ TRANSIT’s bus fleet is a critical part of our State’s Energy Master Plan,” said Governor Murphy. “Battling climate change requires bold and innovative steps. With today’s contract award, our State is closer to ensuring that one of the largest bus fleets of any transportation agency is made of 100-percent zero-emissions vehicles.”
“Creating a green, eco-friendly transportation infrastructure is one of NJ TRANSIT’s strategic goals and a critical element to ensure the success of Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan,” said NJ DOT Commissioner & NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “The modernization of the Hilton Garage in Maplewood is an important step in the course of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.”
“NJ TRANSIT’s transformational bus garage modernization program will include the necessary renovation and construction at our existing bus garages to accommodate a zero-emissions bus fleet, similar to the work we’ve done at our Newton Avenue Bus Garage in Camden,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “This initial phase of the bus garage modernization program represents a significant leap forward in meeting our commitment to transition to a 100-percent zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040, aligned with Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan.”
The contract with AECOM of Piscataway, New Jersey calls for the conceptual, preliminary and final engineering services and construction assistance services for Hilton Garage early construction work required to prepare the facility for a limited deployment of electric buses. The contract also provides for a systemwide bus garage survey to document existing conditions. The contract is for $4,330,348.50, plus five percent for contingencies, subject to the availability of funds.
Transitioning to a zero-emission fleet will require a major transformation of infrastructure, routes, and operations. The bus garage modernization project will involve the extensive upgrading of existing garage facilities and infrastructure, including power utilities, to ensure they can accommodate a zero-emissions fleet.
Some of the possible improvements at the garages include expanding the footprint of the
facilities, roof strengthening for solar systems and power equipment, upgrading the power supply and installing new technologies, including bus charging equipment.
In October of 2021, NJ TRANSIT’s board approved the purchase of eight battery electric buses which will be a part of a limited deployment in the Camden region based out of the Newton Avenue bus garage.
On January 17, 2020, Governor Murphy signed S2252/A4819 that established requirements for NJ TRANSIT to move toward zero-emission bus purchases by 2032. Specifically, all NJ TRANSIT bus purchases made on or after December 2024 must include at least 10 percent zero-emission buses, escalating to 50 percent by December 2026, and 100 percent by December 2032.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 253 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.