Princeton station (NJ Transit)

Princeton station

Company type	NJ Transit commuter rail station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1918
Headquarters	Princeton, New Jersey , United States
Area served	Princeton University campus and Princeton, New Jersey
Owner	Princeton University (since 1984)
Website	www.njtransit.com/station/princeton-station

Princeton serves as the northern endpoint of the Princeton Branch commuter rail line operated by NJ Transit (NJT), situated within the Princeton University campus in Princeton, New Jersey. At the southern terminus, Princeton Junction, passengers can transfer to NJT's Northeast Corridor Line and select peak-hour Amtrak services. The shuttle connecting these two points, commonly referred to as the "Dinky" or "PJ&B" ("Princeton Junction and Back"), operates on a single track, making it the shortest scheduled commuter rail route in the United States. Preliminary evaluations have considered implementing a bus rapid transit system along the Dinky’s right-of-way.

Operations on the Princeton Branch were halted from October 14, 2018, until May 11, 2019, during which shuttle buses substituted rail service while NJT installed and tested positive train control technology.

In 2006, Princeton University proposed moving the station 460 ft (140 m) southward—a plan that gained approval from NJT and local officials but met resistance from some commuters and alumni. The historic 1918 station ceased operations permanently on August 23, 2013. A temporary station was established nearby from August 26, 2013, through November 9, 2014, supported by shuttle bus connections to both the former station site and Princeton Junction. The new permanent facility, designed by architect Rick Joy, opened on November 17, 2014, as part of a combined arts and transit development featuring dining options. This station includes a Wawa convenience store, maintaining a presence that has existed adjacent to the previous station since 1974.

History

The initial Princeton station, constructed in 1865 south of Nassau Street, was replaced in 1918 by a newer facility located further south. Built under the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and designed by architect-engineer Alexander C. Shand, the 1918 station showcased Collegiate Gothic stone architecture with a passenger house, freight building, and platform sheltered by canopies. Ownership passed through various entities including Penn Central, Conrail, New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, and ultimately Princeton University. In 1984, it was listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places as part of the Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource.

Relocation controversy

In 2006, Princeton University suggested replacing the historic 1918 station building with an arts center while shortening the rail right-of-way and relocating the terminus roughly southward. This proposal attracted opposition from rail supporters worried about diminished accessibility and ridership levels, prompting protests involving local residents, students, faculty members, alumni, and spawning the advocacy group Save the Dinky.

The Princeton Regional Planning Board advocated for continued train service in 2010. In 2011, Save the Dinky alongside community members filed legal action to prevent the relocation. Concurrently, a memorandum of understanding was reached whereby the university agreed to fund a transit study and provide community benefits in exchange for rezoning approval tied to its integrated arts/transit development.

Since acquiring ownership in 1984 with commitments to maintain public access, Princeton University faced NJ Transit’s efforts in 2012 to relinquish those public use obligations. Advocates from Save the Dinky contended this violated previous agreements and would negatively impact planning and commuter convenience, whereas university representatives argued that relocating was necessary for neighborhood redevelopment goals.

By December 2012, regional authorities approved the project. In June 2013, NJ Transit authorized property transfers around the station area to enable relocation efforts and construction of parking facilities for the new station. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board declined jurisdiction over the relocation, and lawsuits filed by opponents were dismissed after multiple appeals concluded by early 2016.

As reported in 2017, weekday ridership had dropped by about 20% compared to figures recorded before relocation in 2012.

Dinky Transitway

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission together with New Jersey Transit conducted an analysis of the Central New Jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Project, which includes a proposal for a "Dinky Transitway" along the Princeton Branch rail corridor. This concept envisions a combined transit solution featuring rail service alongside dedicated bus lanes and a greenway designed for both cyclists and pedestrians. In 2011, NJ Transit confirmed that relocating the station would not disrupt the project's development timeline.

In April 2012, Princeton University presented an updated design for an arts and transit hub, which proposed extending the station’s freight house onto the rail right-of-way with potential use as a restaurant space. To safeguard this corridor for transportation purposes, the Regional Planning Board passed an ordinance, also considering an extension of the transitway into Princeton’s central business area along Nassau Street. Such an expansion would necessitate adjustments to the ownership of the track infrastructure.

Subsequent approvals allowed for converting both the station building and the enlarged freight house into two dining establishments. The original ticket windows were preserved and adapted to serve as kitchen viewing areas, while historic wooden arrival and departure boards were repurposed as overhead menu displays. The Dinky Bar & Kitchen officially opened within the former station structure in 2016.

External links

• Princeton Junction and Princeton stations (USA RailGuide – TrainWeb)