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NJ TRANSIT Taps ACI-Herzog JV to Operate Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System

The contract includes operation of the light rail system and the maintenance of the light rail vehicles, infrastructure, and the right-of-way.

November 14, 2024
NJ TRANSIT Taps ACI-Herzog JV to Operate Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System

The approved NJ TRANSIT contract includes a 15-year base period with two five-year options for extension. The cost is not to exceed $1,517,057,398.99 subject to the availability of funds.

Photo: NJ TRANSIT

1 min to read


The NJ TRANSIT board approved a contract for a new operator of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system. 

The contract was awarded to ACI-Herzog JV which will become the second operator since the HBLR began operating in 2000. The contract includes operation of the light rail system and the maintenance of the light rail vehicles, infrastructure, and the right-of-way.

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“With this new contract, NJ TRANSIT reaffirms its focus on maintaining the highest standard of service our HBLR customers have come to expect, while supporting the continued growth of Hudson County,” said NJ TRANSIT President/CEO Kevin S. Corbett. 

NJ TRANSIT’s New Contract

The approved contract includes a 15-year base period with two five-year options for extension. The cost is not to exceed $1,517,057,398.99 subject to the availability of funds.

Since its inception, HBLR has been run under a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) contract. 

The construction component of the DBOM contract was completed and service began in 2000. That contract is approaching expiration in 2025. 

The current contractor will transition the operation and maintenance of the system to ACI-Herzog by Sept. 15, 2025.

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The HBLR encompasses 24 stations, running north-south along the Hudson River waterfront in Hudson County for 20.6 miles and delivers service to more than 48,000 daily weekday riders.

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