NJ Transit to ease overcrowded trains, confirms Corbett as exec. director
Twenty railcars will be put back in service that had been waiting to have Positive Train Control equipment installed, with the agency also planning to lease another 20 railcars from the Marlyand Transit Administration.
NEWARK, N.J. — To provide at least temporary relief from overcrowded trains, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that NJ Transit will put 20 railcars back in service that had been waiting to have Positive Train Control equipment installed and will lease another 20 railcars from the Marlyand Transit Administration (MTA), NJ Advance Media reports.
State Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said that NJ Transit was short by 37 cars to operate its full daily rail schedule. She added that the 20 cars leased from the MTA will provide spare cars to cover when equipment has to be repaired or maintained. For the full story, click here.
In other NJ Transit news, the board of directors approved the nomination of Kevin Corbett as executive director, effective Feb. 19.
Prior to his appointment, Corbett served as VP, cross services at AECOM. In this role, Corbett drew on the extensive resources from across AECOM’s various business lines to provide optimal solutions for AECOM’s clients.
AECOM projects that Corbett was principal-in-charge of or actively served in a management role included Moynihan Station Phase one, Amtrak’s Gateway Program, Second Avenue Subway – Phase one, Penn Vision, Penn Station Critical Improvements, One WTC Interim Loading Dock, Post-Sandy PATH Restoration, and other related regional resiliency and restoration projects. Previously, Corbett was responsible for the global marine and freight business for DMJM+HARRIS, a legacy AECOM company, as well as other AECOM subsidiaries.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
