The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system will have a new operator in 2025. The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors selected Puerto Rico-based ACI-Herzog JV and awarded them the $1.5 billion contract.
The incoming operator will be responsible for operating the entire system and handling maintenance of all light rail vehicles, the right-of-way, and infrastructure. The new contract calls for a 15-year base period with options for two five-year extensions. The current contract ends in 2025, and the transition will begin in the new year, with ACI-Herzog taking complete control by September 15th.
“With this new contract, NJ TRANSIT reaffirms its focus on maintaining the highest standard of service our HBLR customers have come to expect, while supporting the continued growth of Hudson County,” NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin Corbett said in a statement.
The light rail system, which opened in April 2000, includes 24 stations, stretching along the Hudson River from Bayonne to North Bergen, providing service to Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and West New York. According to NJT, 52 cars move more than 48,000 riders every weekday. HBLR is one of the most significant public works projects in New Jersey. While the name implies that the trains run up into Bergen County, HBLR currently operates only in Hudson County, there is an unrealized, long-standing plan to extend service from Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen up to Englewood Town Center.
ACI-Herzog is a joint venture between Alternate Concepts, Inc. and Herzog Transit Services, Inc. Both companies have deep experience in DBOM (design/build/operate/maintain) projects and ongoing transit operations and maintenance with contracts across the United States. ACI is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Herzog’s main offices are in St. Joseph, Missouri. The joint venture is based in Puerto Rico.
The outgoing operator is 21st Century Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Washington Group International. In 1996, 21st Century was awarded a DBOM contract.
How this deal will impact riders remains to be seen. Jersey Digs will update as details become available.
