NJ TRANSIT finds bus, trains, railcars breaking down more often
Reliability is measured by mean distance between failures, which is the average mileage that the agency's rail and bus fleets travel before breaking down. The more miles traveled indicates that the fleet is more reliable.


NEWARK, N.J. — Statistics compiled by NJ TRANSIT found that the train, bus and light rail fleet are traveling fewer miles than just two years ago before breaking down, resulting in delays for commuters and snarled traffic when buses are disabled, NJ Advance Media reports.
NJ TRANSIT’s bus fleet traveled 11,668 miles between breakdowns so far this year, a decline from 12,325 miles in 2015 and from 12,525 miles in 2014. Meanwhile, trains hit a high of 120,591 miles between breakdowns in October 2012. That number slid to 103,813 miles in October 2013 and further to 87,750 in October 2014. The fleet saw some improvement, finishing 2015 with 89,655 miles traveled between failures, according NJ TRANSIT’s statistics.
Reliability is measured by mean distance between failures, which is the average mileage that NJ TRANSIT's rail and bus fleets travel before breaking down. The more miles traveled indicates that the fleet is more reliable. For the full story, click here.
More Management

METRO Opens Submissions for 2026 Motorcoach Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for METRO Magazine’s Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year awards.
Read More →
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
Transit Agencies Highlight Safety Gains at National Summit
Leaders from 15 major transit systems shared crime-reduction results and safety initiatives while discussing the role of continued federal support.
Read More →
NITA Names New Leadership, Expands Reduced-Fare Program at First Board Meeting
The new regional transit authority appointed its first board chair and interim executive director while extending reduced fares across CTA, Metra, and Pace for eligible riders.
Read More →
Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance
Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.
Read More →
APTA 2026 Nominating Committee Selects Leadership Slate, Names Chair and Vice Chair Nominees
Leadership changes will help shape the association’s priorities and its representation of the transportation industry during the 2026–2027 term.
Read More →
DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative
The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.
Read More →Advancing Fare Collection Through Technology and Innovation
Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.
Read More →
Game Day in Motion: Moving Millions During the 2026 World Cup
Between packed transit stations and team motorcoaches, see how agencies and operators across North America tackled the transportation demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read More →
Surface Transportation Extension Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap
The stopgap keeps federal transportation programs moving, but missing advance funding could complicate the transit and rail projects agencies are planning next.
Read More →
