The NJ TRANSIT’s board approved the purchase of 36 additional Multilevel III railcars that offer an increase in seating capacity, mechanical reliability, and improved customer amenities.

The purchase continues to advance NJ TRANSIT’s plan to phase out the oldest single level railcars from the fleet.

“This significant investment brings the total of new multilevel railcars we’ve purchased since 2018 to 174,” said NJ TRANSIT president and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “These new cars will substantially reduce the overall age of the rail fleet, improving reliability, capacity and customer comfort.”

NJ TRANSIT’s New Railcars

Multilevel III cars will offer a range of benefits over the older single level cars they will replace.

The vehicle maximum speed will increase to 110 miles per hour. The cars will be compliant with the latest federal regulations, including positive train control. Other customer amenities will include USB charging ports for customers and new onboard information displays.

The Multilevel III Power Cars are Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s), are self-propelled and don’t require a separate locomotive. Electric motors are incorporated within one or a number of the vehicles on the train.

NJ TRANSIT’s Contract with Alstom

The contract utilizes options on the existing contract with Alstom Transportation at a cost not to exceed $170 million plus 5% for contingencies, subject to the availability of funds.

NJ TRANSIT already has orders for 138 new Multilevel III vehicles, which are in production. The first of these vehicles is scheduled to arrive in New Jersey for testing later this year.

In December of 2018, the NJ TRANSIT board approved a rail rolling stock vehicle procurement award to Bombardier Transit Corporation — now Alstom Transportation Inc. — for 113 Multilevel III rail vehicles to replace the single-level, self-propelled Arrow III rail vehicles manufactured more than 40 years ago.

In February 2022, the NJ TRANSIT board approved the purchase of an additional 25 Multilevel III vehicles.