The New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Board of Directors awarded a contract to AECOM that will advance the agency’s move toward a zero-emission fleet by conducting a survey of the required upgrades needed to support zero-emission buses at its 16 garages and design upgrades needed for a limited deployment of battery-electric buses at the Hilton Garage in Maplewood.
NJ Transit has committed to transitioning its fleet to zero emissions by 2040 and outlined a multi-stage plan to execute on that commitment. The $4.3 million contract awarded to AECOM supports stage one of the plan for 100 percent design for eight charging stations at Hilton garage, 10 percent design at all other garages, as well as a systemwide survey of all 16 garages to document existing conditions.
“The electrification of NJ Transit’s bus fleet is a critical part of our State’s Energy Master Plan,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil 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-emission vehicles.”
NJ Transit explains garage modernization is a prerequisite for operation of a zero-emissions bus fleet. 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.
Later stages of the program will include design work for five selected garages for full scale modernization to accommodate zero-emission buses followed by design work at the remaining 11 garages.
“Creating a green, eco-friendly transportation infrastructure is one of NJ Transit’s strategic goals and a critical element to ensure the success of Gov. Murphy’s Energy Master Plan,” said NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner and 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.”
In October 2021, NJ Transit’s board approved the purchase of eight battery-electric buses from New Flyer of America, Inc., which will be a part of a limited deployment in the Camden region based out of the Newton Avenue bus garage.
“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 and 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.”
