New Jersey Transit will assume the responsibility for operations and maintenance of the River Line by the end of this year, the agency said Wednesday.
In a joint statement from NJ Transit and Alstom, the agency said it began transitioning responsibility for the line this week. The 34-mile River LINE connects New Jersey’s capitol city, Trenton, to the city of Camden by way of communities located along the Delaware River.
“NJ TRANSIT and Alstom are committed to providing safe and reliable service for our customers on the River LINE. After several years of working closely together to assess the conditions of the River LINE, NJ TRANSIT and Alstom today announced that responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the line will begin to transition to NJ TRANSIT on Sept. 3. NJ TRANSIT will assume all responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the River LINE by the end of this year,” the agency’s said in a joint press release.
The agencies said the decision was mutual and reflects the “evolving investment needs of the service, which have grown beyond the current scope of Alstom’s contract…” The two entities said the transition will enable NJ Transit to be positioned to shape and implement the next steps in strengthening and enhancing the future of the rail line’s service.
Alstom said it remains committed to ensuring a safe and efficient transition while continuing to support NJ Transit in other projects that remain ongoing, including manufacturing and delivering hundreds of new multilevel commuter rail cars, which are expected to begin arriving mid-2026.
“Both NJ TRANSIT and Alstom value the strong partnership built over many years and look forward to continuing to work together on projects that deliver safe, reliable and innovative public transportation for New Jersey and the region,” the companies said.