NJ TRANSIT to Take Over Operation of River LINE from Alstom

NJ TRANSIT is assuming direct responsibility for operating and maintaining the River LINE light rail system, taking over duties currently handled by Alstom.

The transition began on 3 September and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Alstom has been responsible for operating and maintaining the 34-mile line since it opened in 2004. The line runs between Camden and Trenton, serving communities along the Delaware River corridor.

The takeover decision follows a joint review by the two organisations regarding the River LINE’s long-term needs. By bringing the service fully in-house, NJ TRANSIT aims to support future investments and upgrades more directly.

According to the joint statement, the shift was “mutually agreed” and reflects investment needs that extend beyond the scope of Alstom’s existing contract. Both parties emphasised that service will continue during the transition and that Alstom will work with NJ TRANSIT to ensure continuity.

While ending its direct role in River LINE operations, Alstom will remain a supplier and project partner to NJ TRANSIT. The company is currently manufacturing new multilevel commuter rail cars for the agency, with the first deliveries expected in mid-2026.

NJ TRANSIT operates the state’s bus, rail, and light rail systems, carrying more than 900,000 weekday passenger trips before the COVID-19 pandemic. The River LINE carried about 8,000 weekday riders in 2019, according to NJ TRANSIT data, though ridership has fluctuated since the pandemic.