TheHudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is alight rail system inHudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned byNew Jersey Transit (NJT) and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities ofBayonne,Jersey City,Hoboken,Weehawken,Union City (at the city line withWest New York), andNorth Bergen.
The system began operating its first segment in April 2000, expanded in phases during the next decade, and was completed with the opening of its southern terminus on January 31, 2011. The line generally runs parallel to theHudson River andUpper New York Bay, while its northern end and its western branch travel through thelower Hudson Palisades. HBLR has 24 stations along a total track length of 17 miles (27 km) for each of its two tracks and as of 2017[update] serves over 52,000 weekday passengers.[4] Despite its name, the system does not serveBergen County, into which long-standing plans for expansion have not advanced due to repeated requests for new environmental review reports since 2007.[6]
The project was financed by a mixture of state and federal funding. With an eventual overall cost of approximately $2.2 billion to complete its initial operating segments, the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail was one of the largest ever public works projects in New Jersey. The system is a component of the state's "smart growth" strategy to reduce car-ridership and to revitalize older urban and suburban areas throughtransit-oriented development.
Hudson County, New Jersey, is the sixth-mostdensely populated county in the U.S.[7] and has one of America's highest percentages ofpublic transportation use.[8][9] During the 1980s and early 1990s, planners and government officials realized that alternative transportation systems needed to be put in place to relieve increasing congestion[10] along theHudson Waterfront, particularly in the vicinity of theHudson River crossings.[11] After extensive studies, it was decided that the most efficient and cost-effective system to meet the growing demands of the area would be a light rail system, constructed in several phases.[12]
The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the system is part of a public-private partnership. In 1996, New Jersey Transit awarded a "DBOM" (design/build/operate/maintain) contract to the 21st Century Rail Corporation, a subsidiary ofWashington Group International, an engineering and construction consulting firm later acquired byURS, thenAECOM. Under the contract, 21st Century Rail would deliver a fleet of vehicles, a guaranteed completion date, and 15 years of operation and maintenance of the system,[12] for a fixed price. The agreement was later extended to a 20-year period.[13]
Original plans called for extending the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail north to theVince Lombardi Park & Ride inRidgefield, south to 5th Street in Bayonne, and west toDroyer's Point in Jersey City.[14] In Hoboken, the line was to have originally been configured as a through-running operation, with an alignment built closer to the river which would have given closer access to both thePATH station entrance and thebus terminal. This was shelved in favor of the current stub-end station in the southern end of Hoboken Terminal and the current route along an existing right-of-way at the foot of theHudson Palisades on the city's west side.[15]
The light rail opened to the public on April 15, 2000, with an initial operating segment connectingBayonne 34th Street andExchange Place, as well as the spur line toWest Side Avenue. Later that year, on November 18, the service was extended northward toPavonia-Newport. On September 29, 2002, service was extended toHoboken Terminal, which completed MOS-1, the first Minimum Operating Segment (MOS) of the project, at the cost of $992 million.[16]
MOS-2 involved several extensions costing a combined $1.2 billion.[16] The first extension as part of MOS-2, which brought the light rail system southward to 22nd Street in Bayonne, was opened on November 15, 2003.[17] It also involved extending the line west and north of Hoboken Terminal into Weehawken. The line was completed to Lincoln Harbor on September 7, 2004,[18] and to Port Imperial on weekends only on October 29, 2005.[19] The line was extended from Port Imperial to Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen on February 25, 2006,[20] and light rail vehicles began running seven days a week to Tonnelle Avenue.[21] Bus service on connecting routes was modified so that there would be more direct connections to Hudson–Bergen Light Rail stations.[22] The extension to a southern terminal at 8th Street opened January 31, 2011, at a cost of $100 million.[23][24]
Service on the West Side Branch was suspended starting in June 2019 to allow for repairs to a sewer line running along the right-of-way.[25][26] Partial service was restored on the branch in April 2020 to the Garfield Avenue and Martin Luther King Dr. stations while the West Side Avenue station remained closed due to ongoing Bayfront-Route 440 extension construction.[27] Full service to the West Side Avenue station resumed in May 2020.[28]
On November 2024, it was announced that the operations of the system will be transitioned to ACI-Herzog JV by September 2025.[29]
There are 24 stations along the routes within the system. Trains run from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
Many of the stations feature public art. A total of 30 artists have created 50 art works with various themes for the stations. For example, the Liberty State Park station features glass tiles representing a number of "fallen flag" railroad logos.
Park and ride lots are available at East 22nd Street, East 34th Street, West Side Avenue, Liberty State Park and Tonnelle Avenue. In total, there are 3,880 parking spaces.
Paid transfer to thePort Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is possible at Exchange Place, Newport and Hoboken Terminal, where connections toNJT commuter rail service are also available. Paid transfer toNew York Waterway ferries is also available at some stations. NJT and other buses serve most stations.
| City | Station/ Location | Weekday Entries (2022)[30] | Services | Opened | Transfers and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bergen | Tonnelle Avenue | 740 | West Side–Tonnelle Hoboken–Tonnelle | February 25, 2006 | Park and ride |
| Union City | Bergenline Avenue | 2,586 | |||
| Weehawken | Port Imperial | 834 | October 29, 2005 | Connect toNY Waterway ferries | |
| Lincoln Harbor | 508 | September 7, 2004 | Connect toNY Waterway ferries | ||
| Hoboken | 9th Street–Congress Street | 2,149 | |||
| 2nd Street | 995 | ||||
| Hoboken Terminal | 2,229 | Hoboken–Tonnelle 8th Street–Hoboken | September 29, 2002 | Connect toPATH trains,NJ Transit commuter trains andNY Waterway ferries | |
| Jersey City | Newport | 4,220 | West Side–Tonnelle 8th Street–Hoboken | November 18, 2000 | |
| Harsimus Cove | 1,098 | ||||
| Harborside | 696 | ||||
| Exchange Place | 3,739 | April 15, 2000 | Connect toPATH trains andNY Waterway ferries | ||
| Essex Street | 732 | Connect toLiberty Landing Ferry | |||
| Marin Boulevard | 847 | Connect toNY Waterway ferries | |||
| Jersey Avenue | 1,101 | ||||
| Liberty State Park | 2,112 | Park and ride | |||
| Garfield Avenue | 722 | West Side–Tonnelle | |||
| Martin Luther King Drive | 1,249 | ||||
| West Side Avenue | 1,368 | Park and ride | |||
| Richard Street | 712 | 8th Street–Hoboken | |||
| Danforth Avenue | 836 | ||||
| Bayonne | 45th Street | 841 | |||
| 34th Street | 917 | Park and ride | |||
| 22nd Street | 1,366 | November 15, 2003 | Park and ride | ||
| 8th Street | 1,090 | January 31, 2011 | Park and ride |
Like most other light rail services in the United States, the HBLR operates on aproof-of-payment system, in which riders must present their tickets upon request during random fare inspections.[31] Passengers must purchase tickets at NJ Transitticket vending machines (TVMs) on or near station platforms or from the NJ Transit app. One-way, round-trip, and ten-trip tickets must then be validated at automated validators located near the TVMs, which date and time stamp the ticket for 60 minutes of use. NJ Transit's fare inspectors randomly check tickets on trains and at stations; as of 2014[update], the fine for fare evasion is $100.[32]
As of 2024[update], a one-way adult fare is $2.55. A monthly, unlimited pass is $80; holders of monthly passes can transfer to NJ Transit local buses without an additional fare. Senior citizens (62 and older; valid ID may be requested), passengers with disabilities, and children under 12 may travel on the light rail at a reduced fare of $1.25. The option to purchase a combined bus and light rail fare has been removed. Valid NJ Transit weekly and monthly rail passes, as well as 2-zone or greater bus passes, are also good for travel and do not need validation.[33] Like the rest of NJ Transit's other transportation modes, it does not accept the MetroCard norOMNY although it has plans to create a new fare payment system in the future.[34][35]
In May 2012, NJ Transit andNY Waterway introduced a monthly or ten-trip discounted combination fare for passengers using the HBLR and ferry atWeehawken Port Imperial.[36][37] Monthly joint tickets are also available for ferry passengers usingslips atLincoln Harbor and14th Street (Hoboken).[38]
In February 2013, NJ Transit began offering free weekend parking at Tonnelle Avenue, Liberty State Park, West Side Avenue, 34th Street and 45th Street stations.[39]
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system uses a combination of old rail and new exclusiverights-of-way for most of its length, with some grade separation in certain areas. Itshares a lane with automobiles on a portion of Essex Street in downtown Jersey City, but for the most part, does not operate with other traffic.At-grade crossings are equipped withtransit-signal priority signals to automatically change traffic lights in favor of the light rail.
A new curved viaduct was constructed eastward from 8th Street to 11th Street in Bayonne to join the existing right-of way to Liberty State Park, which was once the main line of theCentral Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), parts of which rest on the bed of theMorris Canal; CNJ'sNewark and New York Branch right-of-way was used for the line west to West Side Avenue.[40] From Liberty State Park to Hoboken Terminal the line uses a new right-of-way. From the terminal to the curve south of 2nd Street, the line runs parallel to NJT yard and tracks, formerly the main line of theLackawanna Railroad; north of the curve it uses what had beenConrail's River Line, and was originally theNew Jersey Junction Railroad. In order to obtain the right-of-way for the line north from Hoboken, NJT paid to upgrade theNorthern Running Track, allowingConrail to shift its operations. The tunnel and cut through thePalisades were originally theWest Shore Railroad's main line.
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system has 52 electrically powered air-conditioned vehicles built byKinki Sharyo and numbered in the 2000 series. The cars were assembled inHarrison, New Jersey. The original fleet consisted of 54 cars, but 2 cars were transferred to theNewark Light Rail. Each vehicle is 90 feet (27.43 m) long and has four sets of double-opening doors on each side, with seats for 68 passengers and standing room for another 122 passengers.
The Newark Light Rail system uses the same type of vehicle, with slight modifications to the trucks and wheels due to the different rails used.
On July 3, 2013, NJ Transit introduced lengthened light rail car 2054 as a prototype. The expanded car consists of two new sections,[41] increasing length by 37 feet (11.28 m) to a total of 127 feet (38.71 m). Seating capacity is increased from 68 passengers to 102 passengers, with standing capacity increased accordingly as well. Overall capacity increases from approximately 200 per vehicle to 300 per vehicle. The prototype was placed on rotations through the three lines of the system over the next 6 months, after which, NJ Transit started to expand 26 cars in total, or half of the total fleet.[42][43] The contract to expand the remaining balance of 25 cars was approved on July 9, 2014.[44] The expanded cars were renumbered to the 5000 series.
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(October 2025) |
In May 2011 NJT announced a plan for 0.7-mile (1.1 km) extension of the West Side Branch. The project, which requires the approval of themetropolitan planning organization,North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, to be eligible for federal funding, is estimated to cost $171.6 million.[45][46][47][48][49][50][51] The extension is part of a broader plan to transform the far West Side of Jersey City from previous industrial uses tomixed-use communities that also includes the development of the West Campus ofNew Jersey City University (currently under construction)[52] and conversion of Route 440 to an urban boulevard.[53][54][55][56]
As of March 2017, funding for final design and engineering work was appropriated.[57] In December 2017, NJ Transit approved a $5 million preliminary engineering contract for the extension project.[58] Construction on the first phase of the extension began in March 2020.[59]
The results of the Jersey City/Hoboken Connectivity Study published in June 2011 identified the target area at southwestern Hoboken, Lower Jersey City, and Jersey City Heights as a potential site for a new station. The HBLR runs at the foot the Hudson Palisades under NJT's Hoboken Terminal lines with the 2nd Street station north of the ROW. The district is characterized as having an irregular street grid (including colonial-eraPaterson Plank Road andNewark Plank Road), being heavily congested (often withHolland Tunnel–bound traffic) and undergoing transition to a residential/commercial uses.[60] In September 2012, a walkway/bike path was completed near the site of the proposed station, providing better pedestrian access to it and the nearby 2nd St. station.[61][62][63][64] It was announced in October 2012 that NJT had received a $400,000 grant to study the possibility of building a new station at 18th Street in Jersey City, just south of the municipal border and NJT commuter rail ROW.[65][66]
In January 2020, the City of Jersey City began to consider 3.5% tax on public and private parking facilities to help fund the construction of a new light rail station at 18th Street.[67]
A 2021 proposal by Lefrak to build a two-tower mixed use development along the light rail ROW between Jersey Avenue & Grove Street including a light rail station, potentially funded in part by the developer.[68]
According toThe New York Times, NJT approved plans in June 2013 for a new light rail station in northwestern Hoboken, near property owned by theRockefeller Group, which wanted to build a 40-story office tower in that area near the city's northern border with Weehawken.[69][70] This agreement was not made known to the local government.[71] but came to light afterMayor of HobokenDawn Zimmer, appearing onMSNBC on January 18, 2014,[72] claimed thatLt GovernorKim Guadagno andRichard Constable, director of theNew Jersey Department of Community Affairs, had earlier insinuated to her that more Sandy relief funds would be released to the city if it approved the project proposed by Rockefeller.[73][74][75][76] The agreement is dated June 21, 2014.[77] The plans showed a station at 17th Street and Clinton Street.[78]
In January 2020, MayorRavinder Bhalla met with representatives of NJ Transit to discuss a potential new station in the area.[79][80] It included in city's North End master plan.[81]
Despite its name, the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail only servesHudson County. The Northern Branch is a proposed extension from the current northern terminus at Tonnelle Avenue using the right of way of the former ErieNorthern Branch into easternBergen County with a new terminus at theEnglewood Hospital and Medical Center. Stops would be added at 91st Street in North Bergen,Fairview,Ridgefield,Palisades Park,Leonia, andEnglewood, with stops atEnglewood Route 4 andEnglewood Town Center.[82]
An earlier proposal to usediesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles was later abandoned[83] in favor of the electrically operated system used by HBLR as were proposals to extend the line intoTenafly.[82] The estimated cost of the project is $1.18 billion,[84] though funding has not been secured. An initial $40 million has been allocated for design, engineering and environmental studies.[83] The project requires approval of anenvironmental impact statement andFederal Transit Administration approval.[85] Funding for completion if the environmental study, expected to take two years, was approved by NJ Transit in May 2013.[86] After being stalled as of May 2017[update] funding for the project was thought to finally be proceeding in 2017, but no progress was made.[87]
The two branches of the HBLR system create the northern and eastern borders ofCanal Crossing, a plannedNew Urbanist community in Jersey City. A new station at Caven Point Avenue is proposed on the Bayonne line along its eastern perimeter between current stations atRichard Street andLiberty State Park.[88][89][90] A feasibility study conducted in 2012 found that though the construction of a station at Caven Point Avenue was theoretically possible, it would be much more expensive than the average light rail station, while the projected ridership would be relatively low in the near-term.[91]
There have been discussions to extend the system westward to either or bothSecaucus Junction, a major interchange station ofNew Jersey Transit rail operations, and to theMeadowlands Sports Complex (MSC). Possible routes include one fromDowntown Jersey City, via theHarsimus Stem Embankment andBergen Arches, or an extension of the line fromTonnelle Avenue.[92][93][94][95][96][97]
Several studies have been conducted to determine the best future use of theBergen Arches, the formerErie Railroadcut throughBergen Hill in Jersey City. A freeway proposed in 1989 by GovernorThomas Kean[11] was strongly supported by then-MayorBret Schundler. In 1998, this project was allocated $26 million in the federalTransportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.[98][99] During the 2001mayoral race candidates instead lobbied for a mass transit line,[100] and in 2002 the plans were dropped duringMayor Cunningham's administration.[101] In that year,Parsons Brinckerhoff, a consulting firm, released another report commission by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) describing the conditions and analysis of various options.[102][103] NJDOT has continued to fund studies for the project. In March 2011, an additional $13.4 million was allocated to advance the project.[104]
In the first decade of the 21st century, studies sponsored by theNew Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority were conducted to address mass transit options to the MSC, including the possible extension of HBLR from its northern terminus through Secaucus and across theHackensack River.[105]At the time it was estimated that the extension would cost $1 billion.[106] When it was decided to build a rail spur in 2004, state officials said that an HBLR extension was not ruled out as a future possibility. TheMeadowlands Rail Line was eventually opened in 2009.[107]
In 2022, state introduced a plan for a new east-boundRoute 3 Bridge over theHackensack River.Pilings would support a light rail extension, though no there is no projected timeline for service.[108]
TheBayonne Bridge connects Bayonne andStaten Island, a borough ofNew York City. The bridge was originally built to accommodate two extra lanes that could be used for light rail service. In the 2010s thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey raised the roadbed of the bridge by 64 feet (20 m), in order to provide the 215-foot (66 m) clearance required by the newerpost-panamaxcontainer ships to pass under it. Final plans for the reconstructed bridge eventually did not include a rail element.[109]
In September 2007, theS89 limited-stop bus service was introduced between Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and the 34th Street HBLR station.[110] As of February 2018[update], it runs only during the weekday peak period.[111]
While not having begun any studies,New Jersey Transit investigated the feasibility of extending HBLR from the 8th Street Station across the raised bridge.[112] An academic study has been produced in theJournal of Public Transportation.[113] Completing any such extension would involve a collaboration between NJ Transit,New York State, andNew York City.[114] The development of aStaten Island light rail system which could connect with the HBLR system gained political support inNew York.[115][116][117][118][119] US SenatorRobert Menendez supported the HBLR extension conceptually, but questioned the benefit for New Jersey.[120] TheMetropolitan Transportation Authority's 2015–2019 Capital Plan was amended in May 2017 to allocate $4 million to study the potential extension.[121][122]
Shuttle bus service formerly operated from theLiberty State Park station to the waterfrontCentral Railroad of New Jersey Terminal inLiberty State Park. However, this service no longer runs, and as a result, there is a relatively long walk to access the Central Railroad terminal via mass transit. Since at least 2010, there have been proposals to build a trolley line to the Central Railroad terminal building and other points in the park from the Liberty State Park Station light rail station to improve access.[123] The Liberty Historic Railway organization is also attempting to jump start the construction of this trolley line.[124] As of 2020, the Liberty Historic Railway Organization has ceased all work on the Liberty State Park trolley proposal as a result of the damage the park received fromHurricane Sandy and how vulnerable any rail infrastructure within the park associated with the proposed trolley would be to future storm surges.[125]
The light rail has been a catalyst for both residential and commercial development along the route and has played a significant role in the revitalization ofHudson County. Many of the stops are sited in vacant or underutilized areas, which are now beginning to see intense residential and mixed-use development.[126][127] The line running along Essex Street in downtown Jersey City has spawned 3,000 residential units in five years. An 86-acre (350,000 m2) tract of land bordering Liberty State Park is being redeveloped into atransit-oriented development known as Liberty Harbor North, which will consist of 6,000 residential units and millions of square feet of commercial space.[128] TwoNew Urbanism projects in Jersey City,Bayfront andCanal Crossing, are being planned with the expectation that new stations will be built in conjunction with their development. Other developments are either planned or already underway in Hoboken, Union City, Bayonne, and Weehawken, in areas very near to light rail stations.[129]
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