Newark Light Rail
| Company type | Public transit system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Founder | Public Service Coordinated Transport (originally) |
| Headquarters | Newark, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Newark, New Jersey and surrounding communities |
| Owner | New Jersey Transit |
| Parent | New Jersey Transit |
| Website | www |
The Newark Light Rail (NLR) is a light rail network operating in Newark, New Jersey and surrounding communities. It is owned by New Jersey Transit and managed under its bus operations division. The system consists of two parts: the original Newark City Subway (NCS) and the extension reaching Broad Street station. The City Subway began service on May 26, 1935, while the unified Newark Light Rail service officially commenced on July 17, 2006.
Newark City Subway
The Newark City Subway represents the older and lengthier section of the Newark Light Rail system. It functions as a "subway–surface" line, operating underground from Penn Station up to Warren Street before continuing above ground heading north. Previously identified as the #7-City Subway line under Public Service's Transport of New Jersey subsidiary, this route number persists in internal references. During service interruptions, replacement buses also carried this designation.
Extending , the line links Grove Street in Bloomfield to Newark Penn Station, an essential transit hub offering connections to the PATH system to Manhattan, various bus routes, and both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit Rail Operations train services.
History
The subway opened in 1935 along the former right-of-way of the Morris Canal, stretching from Broad Street (currently Military Park) to Heller Parkway (later replaced by Branch Brook Park station). It featured Art Deco styling created by artists from the Works Progress Administration. Southward of Warren Street, the line runs beneath Raymond Boulevard. There was only one grade-level crossing at Orange Street to traverse the below-grade Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (now part of NJT Morristown Line). The original route maintained exclusive right-of-way without sharing streets except at that single crossing.
Complete service to Newark Penn Station was established in 1937. The station's underground terminal includes five tracks with loop connections. A short-lived link to the Newark Public Service Terminal operated only between June and September of that year.
In 1940, an extension reached a wooden platform at North 6th Street/Franklin Avenue, located north of Branch Brook Park. The line was slightly truncated in 1953 to accommodate a new turning loop; this station was renamed Branch Brook Park in 2002.
Under Transport of New Jersey (formerly Public Service Coordinated Transport), the No. 7 line operated this route. Several other streetcar lines utilized portions of the subway before their eventual discontinuation:
- Connection to Public Service Terminal (1937 only): #13 Broad, #17 Paterson, #27 Mount Prospect, #43 Jersey City
- Warren Street ramp (1935–1951): #21 Orange—West Orange via Market Street
- Central Avenue ramp (1935–1947): #23 Central
- Orange Street crossing (1935–1952): #21 Orange—West Orange via Orange Street
- Bloomfield Avenue ramp (1935–1952): #29 Bloomfield
Until June 1952, No. 7 cars were stored and maintained at Roseville Car House near East Orange; afterwards, these functions moved to Newark Penn Station until a new yard opened at Grove Street.
Starting January 1954, a fleet of 30 PCC streetcars acquired from Twin City Rapid Transit replaced earlier vehicles. These single-ended cars required a turning loop located at Franklin Avenue. Manufactured between 1946 and 1949 by St. Louis Car Company, four units were eventually scrapped while two were sold in 1978 to Shaker Heights Rapid Transit.
Operations transferred to New Jersey Transit in 1980.
In 2001, modern light rail vehicles constructed by Kinki Sharyo replaced the PCC fleet; PCC service concluded on August 24 of that year.
Several PCC cars remain stored in Newark; eleven were sold in 2004 to San Francisco Municipal Railway for use on its F Market heritage line. One car (#15) was delivered in 2013 to the Connecticut Trolley Museum for restoration purposes. Additionally, a Shaker Heights car has been refurbished by the Minnesota Transportation Museum for operation on a short track in Minneapolis.
In 2005, eight PCC cars were transferred to Bayonne for refurbishment and intended use on a proposed loop line serving Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor (formerly Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne), which would connect with Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s 34th Street station.
On September 4, 2004, Broad Street Station was renamed Military Park Station to prevent confusion with Newark Broad Street Station located on University Avenue and operated by New Jersey Transit.
Bloomfield Extension
On June 22, 2002, the Newark City Subway expanded service into the suburban areas of Belleville and Bloomfield by utilizing the former Erie Railroad Orange Branch, presently owned by Norfolk Southern. This extension introduced new stops at Silver Lake and Grove Street. Additionally, the previous Heller Parkway and Franklin Avenue stations were consolidated into a single Branch Brook Park station. The Franklin Avenue loop was eliminated as modern bidirectional vehicles replaced the earlier PCC streetcars, and a new loop was installed at Grove Street. All crossings along this extension remain at street level.
Initially, Norfolk Southern maintained exclusive operational rights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.; however, an updated agreement effective January 8, 2005, permits passenger service to run continuously throughout the day. Norfolk Southern retains the ability to operate during off-peak periods when passenger train frequency is low.
Broad Street Extension
The Broad Street Extension represents the second phase of the Newark Light Rail and serves as the initial segment of the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link. Spanning , it connects Newark Penn Station with Broad Street Station. This line diverges from the original City Subway at a preexisting junction that formerly led to the Public Service terminal.
From this junction, a newly constructed tunnel extends to a portal located two blocks north. Beyond this point, tracks run at grade along separate streets, serving significant stops such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center near Center Street. Outbound stations include Atlantic Street and Riverfront Square (the site of a former baseball stadium) at Riverfront Stadium station, while inbound trains call at Washington Park. The extension officially commenced operations on July 17, 2006.
Construction began in 2002 with an allocated budget of $207.7 million—equating to roughly $40,000 per linear foot—and was completed without exceeding financial limits. Early ridership forecasts anticipated approximately 4,000 average weekday boardings within one year, increasing to around 7,000 by 2010. Actual combined weekday boardings across both Newark Light Rail lines reached 9,000 in that year.
Artwork featured in stations includes "Riding with Sarah and Wayne," a tribute to Newark-born jazz icons Sarah Vaughan and Wayne Shorter. This installation incorporates lyrics from Vaughan's renowned song "Send in the Clowns" alongside colored bricks symbolizing musical notes.
This extension enhances transit connections between Newark’s two primary rail hubs—Broad Street Station (formerly part of the Lackawanna Railroad/Erie Lackawanna Railway) and Penn Station (originally Pennsylvania Railroad)—which historically required passengers to transfer by taxi or bus.
Fares
As of July 1, 2024, a one-way fare on Newark Light Rail costs $1.80 and is valid system-wide for one hour after ticket validation. A reduced fare of $0.85 applies for subway-only trips between Warren Street and Penn Station under the "Underground" category. Through-ticketing options are available for transfers connecting to bus services. Monthly and weekly NJ Transit passes covering local bus zones and bus transfers are accepted on this system.
The fare collection operates on a proof-of-payment model, mandating that riders present valid tickets during random checks conducted by transit staff or law enforcement officers. Tickets may be purchased from station vending machines or through the NJ Transit mobile application and must be validated electronically or stamped for one hour of use. Fare evasion can result in penalties up to $100. Previously, PCC streetcars accepted exact cash fares onboard before light rail vehicles were introduced.
Newark City Subway
Broad Street Extension
All stations are located within Newark.
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| Station | Opened | Transfers | Ridership (2022) |
Notes |
|---|
| Line divides into one-way directions
- {[}[ Harriet Tubman Square station{]}] July 17, 2006 Template:Rint NJ Transit Bus 95 Southbound only - {[}[ Atlantic Street station (Newark Light Rail){]}] 4 Northbound only - {[}[ Riverfront Stadium station{]}] 38 - |
Lines reunite approaching Broad Street
- {[}[ Newark Broad Street station{]}] July 17, 2006 Template:Rint NJ Transit Rail Operations: Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb, Template:Rcb Template:Rint NJ Transit Bus 253 |
|---|
Weekday operations run independently on each segment; weekend service operates jointly.
Rolling stock
The Newark Light Rail utilizes double-articulated vehicles manufactured by Kinki Sharyo of Japan, resembling those used on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail but adapted for distinct track specifications. Each unit consists of three connected sections and features operator cabins at both ends, which removes the necessity for turning the vehicle around. Passenger seating accommodates 68 individuals along with two wheelchair spaces, while standing room is available for up to 122 passengers. These vehicles are capable of being linked together in pairs. In 2014, NJ Transit authorized a contract to enlarge 10 out of the 20 light rail vehicles to boost their passenger capacity.
In 2011, the Seashore Trolley Museum located in Kennebunkport, Maine, acquired PCC car number 5, marking the first piece of NJ Transit rolling stock added to its collection. This car is currently undergoing restoration to operate on the museum’s demonstration railway and complements a roster of PCC cars sourced from major cities throughout the United States.
Timeline
- December 22, 1910: The Public Service Corporation reveals plans for a subway system, initially proposing a route beneath Broad Street stretching from Bridge Street to Clinton Avenue.
- October 3, 1934: The subway begins service between Broad Street and Heller Parkway. Line No. 21 is routed via Warren Street Ramp; No. 23 uses Norfolk Street Ramp; No. 29 travels through Bloomfield Avenue Ramp.
- June 20, 1937: Extension opens to Newark Penn Station; Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (now PATH) shifts operations to Newark Penn Station. Lines No. 13, 27, and 43 are redirected through the Cedar Street Subway.
- June 21, 1937 – May 1, 1938: Lines No. 17, 13, 27, and 43 gradually discontinue use of the Cedar Street Subway.
- November 22, 1940: Extension reaches North 6th Street (later renamed Franklin Avenue).
- December 14, 1947 – March 30, 1952: Various lines including No. 23, 21, and 29 cease operation via their respective ramps and crossings.
- January 8, 1954: The subway sees its first operation of a PCC car.
- October 1980: NJ Transit takes over system operations.
- August 21 – September 7, 1999: The subway closes for a two-week refurbishment period before reopening with improvements.
- August 24–27, 2001: Retirement of PCC cars occurs; new light rail vehicles begin service.
- June 21–22, 2002: Closure of Heller Parkway; inauguration of Silver Lake and Grove Street stations.
- September 4, 2004: Broad Street station is renamed Military Park.
- January 8, 2005: Additional late-night service is introduced at Grove Street station.
- July 17, 2006: The Newark City Subway extension opens between Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street, accompanied by rebranding as Newark Light Rail.
Accidents
The Newark City Subway has been involved in several incidents:
- September 22, 1981 – Nine passengers sustained injuries when a trolley collided with another stationary trolley at Newark Penn Station.
- April 15, 2003 – A light rail vehicle was partially derailed near Orange Street Station after it was hit by a box truck; the signal had given priority to the light rail vehicle.
- August 23, 2008 – An illegal turn by a dump truck resulted in a collision with a light rail vehicle at Washington Park Station causing partial derailment and injuring one passenger.
- August 28, 2014 – A collision between a light rail vehicle and an SUV occurred between Atlantic Avenue and Broad Street; no injuries were reported.
- April 6, 2016 – A car struck a light rail vehicle on South Franklin Avenue; passengers were unharmed.
In popular culture
- During November 2011, Military Park station served as a filming location for several sequences in the movie The Dark Knight Rises.
See also
- Hudson–Bergen Light Rail
- River Line
- Light rail in the United States
- List of tram and light rail transit systems
Bibliography
- Edward Hamm, Jr., The Public Service Trolley Lines in New Jersey.
- DOT Docket FRA-2000-7335-7 and −8.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Newark Light Rail
- 1935 establishments in New Jersey
- 750 V DC railway electrification
- Light rail in New Jersey
- New Jersey streetcar lines
- NJ Transit Rail Operations
- Public art in Newark, New Jersey
- Railway lines opened in 1935
- Rapid transit in New Jersey
- Standard-gauge railways in the United States
- Transportation in Essex County, New Jersey
- Transportation in Newark, New Jersey
- Underground rapid transit in the United States