Union station (NJ Transit)
| Company type | Rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2003-04-28 |
| Headquarters | Union, New Jersey , United States |
| Owner | NJ Transit (station facilities) |
| Parent | NJ Transit |
Union station is part of the NJ Transit rail network, located in Union, New Jersey. Positioned along the Conrail Lehigh Line, it is primarily served by trains on the Raritan Valley Line, which operate between Newark Penn Station and Raritan. Additional limited service extends to High Bridge and New York Penn Station, including a single morning trip to Hoboken Terminal. Ownership of the station facilities lies with NJ Transit, while the land is held by Conrail Shared Assets Operations, a collaborative enterprise of Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Corporation.
History
In 1891, the Lehigh Valley Railroad, through its subsidiary known as the Newark and Roselle Railway, constructed a rail line connecting Roselle and Newark. The Townley station, situated east of where Union station currently stands, served the area of Union Township until commuter operations by Lehigh Valley Railroad were discontinued in 1948. Passenger services at this location ended entirely by 1961.
Service for passengers was reinstated in 1967 following the implementation of the Aldene Plan, a coordinated effort involving the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This plan redirected trains from Jersey Central onto Lehigh Valley tracks between Roselle and Newark’s Pennsylvania Station, introducing a new stop at Roselle Park.
During the 1990s, development plans for Morris Avenue included proposals for an infill station within Union Township. Initially named "Townley," the project was renamed "Union" by 1998. The station officially opened on April 28, 2003, with an investment totaling $27 million. Adjacent to Kean University, it offers amenities such as a waiting area, restroom facilities, retail vendors, and a parking lot accommodating 464 vehicles. Artistic elements at the site emphasize the Earth's 40th parallel north, highlighting global cities like Lisbon, Rome, and Beijing. Presently, NJ Transit operates 53 trains on weekdays and 36 on weekends serving this station.
Dedication
The station was formally dedicated to Congressman Bob Franks on September 24, 2013.
Station layout and service
Featuring a single high-level island platform that serves two tracks, the platform is designed to handle trains with up to six cars in length.