NJ TRANSIT Rolls Out Modern Buses With USB Ports

NJ TRANSIT deploys new 40-foot buses with LED lighting, USB ports, and low-floor ramps

NJ TRANSIT Adds Modern Buses With USB Ports

NJ TRANSIT put new 40-foot buses into service with LED lighting, low-floor boarding ramps, and USB charging ports, transit officials announced Friday. The buses are part of a fleet modernization program that's been underway since 2018, with deliveries continuing through the agency's 2031 completion goal. Officials didn't specify how many buses arrived in this delivery or which routes will receive the new vehicles.

Context & Background

The fleet modernization program represents NJ TRANSIT's largest bus procurement effort in decades, according to the transit agency. Officials authorized the purchase of more than 1,400 buses with total investment exceeding $1.7 billion to replace aging vehicles across the system's 2,400-bus fleet. The agency approved a $1.089 billion contract with New Flyer in June 2023 for up to 1,202 buses as part of the modernization effort. NJ TRANSIT serves approximately 200 million annual bus trips across New Jersey with connections to New York City and Philadelphia, though ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Key Details

The new 40-foot buses feature brighter LED interior lighting designed to improve visibility and passenger comfort during trips. Low-floor design with boarding ramps makes access easier for riders with mobility challenges, wheelchairs, and strollers, meeting federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. USB charging ports at seats let passengers charge phones and devices during their commute. Officials didn't provide technical specifications for the buses or say whether this delivery includes diesel, compressed natural gas, or battery-electric models available under the New Flyer contract.

Timeline & Implementation

The buses announced Friday are already in service on NJ TRANSIT routes, officials said. Deliveries will continue as part of the ongoing modernization program through 2031, when the agency aims to complete its fleet replacement goal. Officials haven't released a detailed delivery schedule showing when remaining buses will arrive or which routes will receive new vehicles next. The transit agency typically deploys new buses systemwide rather than concentrating them on specific routes.