Bay Street station
| Company type | New Jersey Transit rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 27, 1981 |
| Headquarters | Montclair, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Montclair–Boonton Line |
| Products | Commuter rail services |
Bay Street is a New Jersey Transit stop located on Pine Street between Glenridge and Bloomfield Avenues in Montclair, New Jersey, serving the Montclair–Boonton Line.
Established on February 27, 1981, Bay Street succeeded the 1913-built Lackawanna Terminal near Grove Street as part of the Montclair Connection. Originally, the station consisted of a single platform accompanied by a shelter. In 2002, it underwent a complete reconstruction to comply with accessibility requirements, which included the addition of two elevated platforms and an elevator servicing a pedestrian bridge over the rail tracks. This redevelopment played a key role in Montclair’s designation as a Transit Village by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in 2010, acknowledging transit-oriented growth surrounding the station.
Opening
The present-day station was constructed in 1981 to replace Montclair’s former Lackawanna Plaza station situated two blocks to the west. The initial terminal, inaugurated in 1913 by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad for its Montclair Branch, had gradually diminished from six tracks and three platforms down to only one platform and track. Passenger operations ceased at that location on February 26, 1981; the next day, trains operated by Conrail were redirected eastward to the new Bay Street facility. At its inception, Bay Street featured minimal infrastructure with just one track and a modest shelter. It became the terminus of the Montclair Branch and marked the end point for electrification. This change represented the first stage of the planned Montclair Connection that would link the Montclair Branch with the Boonton Line.[1]
Montclair Connection
The Montclair Connection project aimed to join the Lackawanna Railroad’s Montclair Branch with the Erie Railroad’s New York and Greenwood Lake Railroad—which served five additional stations in Montclair—was initially proposed by the Regional Plan Association in 1929 but was postponed due to the Great Depression. Renewed interest arose in 1963 following modifications to the Boonton Branch near Mountain View in Wayne, New Jersey. However, progress stalled until New Jersey Transit revived plans during the late 1980s. An early agreement reached in 1998 with Montclair envisioned a single-track diesel link but eventually evolved into a double-track electrified corridor. Construction commenced in 1999 and concluded on September 30, 2002.[1]
Upon completion, Bay Street underwent extensive upgrades: its original single platform was replaced by two high-level platforms connected via a large pedestrian overpass; the shelter was removed; and service expanded to full-time bidirectional operations. The station shifted from being a terminus to serving as an intermediate stop, with trains continuing northward to Montclair Heights, allowing passengers to transfer to other lines.[2]
Transit village
On July 11, 2010, the New Jersey Department of Transportation designated both Montclair and Somerville as transit villages—initiatives designed to improve public transit accessibility through new housing and commercial developments. Montclair received recognition for enhancements at Bay Street station including construction of a new parking garage and a seven-unit residential building on Pine Street. These transit villages qualified for $100,000 in funding aimed at supporting ongoing station area development. Although this transit village designation primarily centers on Bay Street station, Montclair also benefits from five additional stations located within walking distance of nearby homes.
Station configuration and amenities
Situated on Pine Street between Bloomfield Avenue (County Route 506) and Glenridge Avenue, Bay Street station is the first among six stations within Montclair.
The facility includes two elevated side platforms adjacent to two tracks, linked by a pedestrian bridge equipped with elevators. Ticket vending machines are available on-site. A parking garage with 248 spaces serves commuters, complemented by a smaller nearby lot; eight designated handicap-accessible spots fall under the management of the Montclair Parking Authority.
The station and its parking structure face ongoing upkeep challenges, with NJ Transit and local authorities currently in disagreement over maintenance responsibilities.
Bay Street serves as an important stop along the Montclair-Boonton Line, with every train making a scheduled stop here. It acts as the weekend terminus for most services, except for certain holiday trains that proceed onward to Lake Hopatcong station.