NJ TRANSIT Orders Additional Rail Fleet from Alstom

Alstom has confirmed an order from NJ TRANSIT to supply 200 additional Multilevel III commuter rail cars and 12 ALP-45 dual-power locomotives in New Jersey.

The contract, valued at approximately 1 billion USD, forms part of the agency’s wider programme to modernise its rail fleet and improve service reliability.

The order expands NJ TRANSIT’s existing commitment to the Multilevel III programme, bringing the total number of vehicles purchased to 374 since the contract was first awarded. The new rolling stock will gradually replace single-level Comet II, IV and V cars, some of which are around 40 years old.

Multilevel III Rail Cars

The Multilevel III vehicles are designed to increase capacity and improve accessibility. NJ TRANSIT expects the cars to provide around 12 percent more seating compared with the single-level stock they will replace. Features include USB charging ports, digital information screens and automated audio announcements.

The order includes both standard coaches and multilevel power cars (MLPCs). The latter are equipped with their own propulsion systems, reducing the reliance on locomotives. A typical 12-car trainset will operate with four MLPCs, a configuration intended to provide greater reliability if one unit is out of service.

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas said:

Alstom is proud of our long-standing partnership with NJ TRANSIT and this new order reaffirms our commitment to deliver NJ TRANSIT passengers with safe, state-of-the-art railcars that will get them where they are going reliably and comfortably. These third-generation multi-level trains that we will start delivering to NJ TRANSIT in the coming months are designed with energy efficient features, redundancy and durability to maximize the value of NJ TRANSIT’s fleet over its lifecycle.

Dual-Power Locomotives

In addition to the new passenger cars, NJ TRANSIT has ordered 12 ALP-45 dual-power locomotives. These units can operate under electric power from overhead wires or switch to diesel on non-electrified sections of the network. The diesel engines meet the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier IV emission standards, replacing older Tier I units. NJ TRANSIT estimates that this transition will cut nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 50 tonnes per year.

Once delivered, the agency’s ALP-45 fleet will total 72 units. The locomotives are part of Alstom’s Traxx Passenger range, designed for use across electrified and non-electrified routes.

The investment aligns with NJ TRANSIT’s long-term fleet modernisation strategy, which aims to phase out older vehicles and standardise equipment by 2031. The agency operates the largest statewide public transport system in the United States, providing nearly 270 million passenger journeys annually across New Jersey and into New York City and Philadelphia.

Governor Phil Murphy said:

This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to providing New Jerseyans with safe, reliable, and modern public transportation. By replacing outdated rail cars with state-of-the-art equipment, we’re not only improving the commuting experience for millions of riders, but also strengthening our economy, reducing emissions, and moving toward a more sustainable future.

Alstom will manufacture the new cars and locomotives at its North American facilities. Deliveries of the Multilevel III vehicles are scheduled to begin in the coming months.