Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The competitive transit grant awards were part of the DOT's Bus Livability and State of Good Repair programs.

Data tabulated by NJ Transit and released on Friday show that a net of $591.4 million was spent on the project from its formal inception in the summer of 2006 through August 31.

The projects awarded are part of the State Transportation Improvement Program and voter-approved Proposition 1B, a $20 billion bond program to fund transportation projects throughout the state.

Gov. Christie cancelled the ARC commuter tunnel after projections showed the project could go at least $1 billion over its $8.7 billion budget. The new deadline is Jan. 18, 2011.

Agency would like money to pay for multi-level railcars already on order.

Gov. Christie, who withdrew his support for the project a few weeks ago, said this decision to scrap it would not be reconsidered.

In addition to the Mass Transit Tunnel Project, money will also pay for bus, van and railcar purchases, as well as facility, track, and safety and bridge improvements throughout the system.

The agency will make a “down payment” toward an eventual commitment of $3 billion by approving a $1.35 billion Early Systems Work Agreement (ESWA). The project will allow NJ Transit to double rail service capacity into Manhattan.