Highlighting a commitment to a “safer, more reliable, and more modern” commute, Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday announced the launch of the NJ TRANSIT Rapid Action Plan. The comprehensive roadmap promises immediate, measurable improvements to the state’s transit system, headlined by the debut of a redesigned mobile app and real-time GPS tracking for rail service.
The plan, developed in just 45 days following the Governor’s Executive Order No. 16, focuses on four “critical pillars”: Digital Experience, Cleanliness, Accessibility, and Public Safety. Notably, NJ TRANSIT will fund these initiatives through its existing budget, requiring no additional state appropriations for the 2027 cycle.
“New Jerseyans deserve a transit system that is clean, safe, reliable, and easy to use,” Sherrill said. “No one wants to ride home on a dirty bus or use an outdated, confusing app. This plan addresses the immediate needs of everyone who uses the system.”
The centerpiece of the digital overhaul is the NJT LiveView™ platform. This system utilizes precise GPS-based data to provide a single, authoritative stream of real-time vehicle locations.
Key digital initiatives include:
- Redesigned Mobile App: A user-informed interface to simplify trip planning and ticketing.
- NJT LiveView™: Real-time tracking for the entire rail network, powering arrival info across station displays and third-party apps.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Expansion of Wi-Fi across the state’s bus fleet.
- Unified Communications: A new system to ensure consistent service alerts across all digital channels and station screens.
To address long-standing complaints regarding the condition of facilities, the plan introduces a Station Care Team model. These teams will rotate through outlying stations to ensure maintenance standards are met systemwide, with a specific focus on high-visibility and high-ridership hubs.
The plan also prioritizes accessibility, specifically targeting the reliability of elevators and escalators. Enhanced wayfinding signage and new navigation tools for the visually impaired are slated for priority locations to ensure all residents can navigate the system with dignity and ease.
Safety initiatives are being modernized through the establishment of a Real Time Crime Center. This hub will coordinate with expanded and upgraded camera systems across stations and facilities. Improved lighting and increased law enforcement visibility at stops are also key components of the safety phase-in.
The Rapid Action Plan was informed by extensive public outreach, including listening sessions led by Customer Advocate Franck Beaumin.
“We appreciate Governor Sherrill’s clear focus on delivering immediate improvements that customers can see and feel,” NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri said. “By combining near-term actions with long-term investments like the Portal North Bridge and new railcars, we are strengthening the overall travel experience.”
Per the governor’s directive, NJ TRANSIT must advance the implementation of these priority actions within the next 45 days. The agency currently provides more than 925,000 weekday trips, making it the largest statewide public transportation system in the United States.
