Meadowlands Rail Line
| Company type | Rail service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | July 20, 2009 |
| Founder | NJ Transit Rail Operations |
| Headquarters | New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Meadowlands Sports Complex, Secaucus Junction, Hoboken Terminal |
| Products | Rail transport services |
| Owner | NJ Transit Rail Operations |
| Parent | NJ Transit Rail Operations |
| Website | www |
The Meadowlands Rail Line, currently known as the BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line due to a naming rights partnership, is a rail service in New Jersey operated by NJ Transit Rail Operations (NJT). This route links the Meadowlands Sports Complex with Secaucus Junction, with some trains extending service to Hoboken Terminal. Operations are limited and primarily active during major events.
Built at an investment of $185 million, the line commenced operations on July 20, 2009, marking NJ Transit’s latest addition to its rail network. On NJT system maps, it is distinguished by a gold hue and prominently displays the BetMGM branding.
Central to the line’s infrastructure is the Meadowlands station, situated adjacent to MetLife Stadium and conveniently positioned near Meadowlands Racetrack, Meadowlands Arena, and American Dream. This station was developed as part of an expansion to accommodate transit demand generated by large-scale events.
Service
NJ Transit schedules trains on this line for events drawing crowds exceeding 50,000 individuals, including games featuring the New York Jets and Giants. Service begins approximately three and a half hours prior to event start times and continues for up to two hours afterward. The journey between Meadowlands Station and Secaucus Junction takes about 10 to 13 minutes, while trips involving Hoboken Terminal require roughly 23 minutes. The line can handle an estimated passenger flow of around 10,000 per hour.
In preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014, NJ Transit extended the platforms at Secaucus Junction by 120 feet to support multi-level 10-car train configurations capable of transporting between 1,400 and 1,800 passengers per train. This upgrade allowed for moving approximately 14,000 to 15,000 people each hour. Secaucus Junction functions as a critical transfer hub connecting NJ Transit commuter lines with services to New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station, and destinations north and west. Meanwhile, Hoboken Terminal provides transfers to PATH trains, Hudson Bergen Light Rail, ferries, and local bus routes.
The Train to the Game was a collaborative excursion service operated by Metro-North Railroad and NJ Transit from New Haven for Sunday football games. It avoided the typical transfer at Grand Central by routing through New York Penn Station directly to Secaucus Junction. Initially offering three trains in each direction, service was reduced to one train per direction starting in 2010.
In 2012, NJ Transit launched online ticketing options for round-trip journeys between New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium during the NFL season.
Although daily operations were planned to coincide with the opening of the American Dream Meadowlands complex in 2019, NJ Transit postponed this expansion until the rail infrastructure can support it without disrupting regular commuter services.
History
Prior to 2009, access to the Meadowlands Sports Complex—which opened in 1976—was limited exclusively to automobiles and buses. The development of the rail line encountered controversy, including a $6.2 million acquisition of a right-of-way crossing a federal Superfund site. The line branches off from the Pascack Valley Line via a newly constructed wye connection.
The rail route officially launched on July 20, 2009, with an inauguration event attended by then-New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine along with owners of the New York Giants and Jets. Public service began on July 26, 2009, coinciding with the CONCACAF Gold Cup final and carrying an estimated crowd of 6,000 attendees.
Ridership grew substantially in its second year; by 2010 approximately 10,500 Jets supporters and 8,000 Giants fans utilized the train for game-day travel. During Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, record shuttle usage caused delays reaching up to 90 minutes due to security screening and capacity constraints. Post-event demand overwhelmed station capacity, forcing fans to remain inside MetLife Stadium until additional trains were available. A total of 28,301 passengers arrived by train and 35,264 departed—nearly triple NJ Transit’s original projections.
At WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, which drew an audience of 82,265 attendees, many opted for rail transportation but experienced lengthy waits after the event due to scheduling conflicts and engineer work-hour restrictions. NJ Transit faced criticism for failing to maintain its published timetable.
In anticipation of large crowds for BTS concerts in May 2019, NJ Transit recommended alternative travel options and arranged extra bus services because the rail line’s maximum capacity is limited to about 8,000 passengers per hour.
On September 14, 2022, NJ Transit finalized a three-year naming rights agreement valued at $3 million with BetMGM, a sports betting enterprise owned by MGM Resorts International, resulting in the line’s current branding.
Stations
| Station | Distance (mi/km) | Opening Date | Connections / Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoboken Terminal Template:NJT acc (limited service) |
0.0 (0.0) | 1903 | NJ Transit Rail: Bergen County, Gladstone, Main, Montclair–Boonton, Morristown, North Jersey Coast, Pascack Valley, Raritan Valley lines Metro-North Railroad: Port Jervis Line Hudson-Bergen Light Rail: Hoboken-8th Street, Hoboken-Tonnelle PATH: HOB-WTC, HOB-33, JSQ-33 (via HOB) NJ Transit Bus: 22, 22X, 23, 68, 85, 87, 89, 126 New York Waterway |
| Secaucus Junction Template:NJT acc | 3.5 (5.6) | 2003 | NJ Transit Rail: Bergen County, Gladstone, Main, Montclair–Boonton, Morristown, North Jersey Coast, Northeast Corridor, Pascack Valley, Raritan Valley lines Metro-North Railroad: Port Jervis Line NJ Transit Bus: 2, 78, 129, 329, 353 |
| Meadowlands Sports Complex Template:NJT acc | 9.9 (15.9) | 2009 | NJ Transit Bus: 351, 353, 703, 772 |
Alternative transit
In 2021, NJ Transit commenced evaluations of different transit solutions connecting the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Secaucus Junction, including a bus "transitway." A preliminary proposal by HNTB, which utilizes mainly existing structures along the New Jersey Turnpike, targets launching service ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. NJ Transit allocated $35 million toward design and development efforts to enhance capacity serving the Meadowlands complex.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation revealed in January 2022 a $143 million project to replace the eastbound Route 3 Bridge spanning the Hackensack River, with design features accommodating potential future extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from Secaucus Junction.