NJ TRANSIT Introduces First Battery-Electric Bus to Enter Service

NJ TRANSIT announced that president/CEO Kevin S. Corbett was joined by Congressman Donald Norcross along with local, county, and state officials and other stakeholders to introduce the agency’s first battery-electric bus that will soon be entering revenue service.

The milestone sets the stage for the planned transition to a complete fleet of zero-emission buses by 2040 aligned with Gov. Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, according to NJ TRANSIT's news release. It also reinforces the Murphy Administration’s commitment to New Jersey’s environmental justice communities.

“Evidenced by NJ TRANSIT’s introduction of its first battery electric bus, New Jersey continues to serve as a trailblazer in transportation innovation,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “It’s game-changing developments like these that testify to my Administration’s promotion of transportation alternatives that are not only more affordable and accessible but more environmentally sustainable, especially for communities overburdened by pollution. Once and for all, these communities will share in the full financial and health benefits of our state’s transition to a clean energy economy.”

In September 2020, NJ TRANSIT’s board awarded a $3.235 million contract to Scalfo Electric of Vineland to renovate the Newton Avenue Bus Garage with electric vehicle charging stations and other associated infrastructure modifications. The eight new charging stations were unveiled in March 2022.

In October 2021, NJ TRANSIT’s board approved a $9.4 million contract, plus 5% for contingencies, with New Flyer of America for the purchase of eight 40-foot battery electric buses. The contract calls for eight buses with options allowing the purchase of up to 75 additional zero-emission buses.

In March 2022, the NJ TRANSIT board approved a $4.3 million contract with AECOM of Piscataway, New Jersey for the conceptual, preliminary, and final engineering services and construction assistance services for Hilton Garage early construction work required to prepare the facility for a limited deployment of electric buses. The contract also provides for a systemwide bus garage survey to document existing conditions.  

In September 2022, NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors approved the Zero-Emission Bus System Design and Investment Planning Study which will develop and create standards and best practices. The $9.4 million contract was awarded to ZEBGO/NJ.

“NJ TRANSIT could not be more proud to introduce the first electric bus in our agency’s history that will soon be picking customers up along Camden’s city streets,” said Kevin S. Corbett, NJ TRANSIT president/CEO. “This is an especially important first step as residents in large urban cities such as Camden often disproportionately bear the effects of air pollution.”