The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will receive approximately $805,000 in Federal Transit Administration funding supporting research into new tools and approaches to improve the transit rider experience.

The funding from FTA’s Enhancing Mobility Innovation (EMI) program enables transit agencies and research organizations to advance technologies, strategies, and innovations that create a safe, reliable, equitable, and accessible transit experience, from developing simpler ways for riders to pay fares to adjusting transit schedules based on demand. 

PANYNJ’s Project

PANYNJ will retrofit New Jersey Transit electric buses with automated driving features that enable more buses to travel more frequently in exclusive bus lanes. 

The retrofit will allow PANYNJ to explore and perfect the use of automated vehicle technologies in urban environments, developing a better understanding of how an automated shuttles or express bus service could be deployed. 

PANYNJ is one of two transit agencies to receive an EMI grant award. 

FTA’s EMI Program

FTA’s EMI program supports innovation in mobility to meet the evolving needs of transit riders; advances equitable and climate-smart transportation; and improves public transportation. 

FTA will disseminate key findings and practices from each project to inform and encourage similar innovations nationwide.