New Jersey Transit Corp. (NJ TRANSIT), a state-owned public transportation system, and NY Waterway, a private transportation company, recently completed the retrofit of a ferry to dramatically cut nitrogen oxides emissions.
The M/V Hoboken was equipped with four 600-horsepower EPA Tier 1 engines that will reduce emissions by 80 percent. The engines also use 25 percent less fuel.
The new engines replaced two 900-horsepower EPT Tier 3 engines.
Capacity for the Hoboken also was increased by 60 percent, from 149 to 247 passengers
“Every ferry takes dozens—sometimes hundreds—of cars off the region’s roadways,” Armand Pohan, NY Waterway president, CEO and chairman, said. “They’re already a clean and sustainable way to commute, and now they’ll be even greener. It’s our mission to be a good steward of the harbor, and we’re so thrilled to see the Hoboken reenter service with cleaner engines, room for more passengers and lower fuel use on every trip.”
The partners plan to retrofit five more NY Waterway ferries. The Federal Transportation Administration awarded NJ TRANSIT a $12-million grant to complete the retrofits.
NY Waterway and NJ TRANSIT unveiled M/V Hoboken at an event Tuesday. Media and guests were given a ride across the Hudson River.