Marking a historic milestone in the modernization of New Jersey’s aging transportation infrastructure, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and NJ TRANSIT CEO Kris Kolluri on Monday unveiled the first of 374 new Multilevel III rail cars at the Meadows Maintenance Complex.
The arrival of the first car—a self-propelled “power car”—kickstarts a massive $3 billion investment aimed at fully modernizing the agency’s rail and bus fleets by 2031. The new equipment is expected to drastically improve reliability for the nearly one million daily commuters who rely on the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system.
The Multilevel III fleet, manufactured by Alstom in Plattsburgh, NY, is designed to replace rail cars dating back to the 1970s. The technical upgrades represent a staggering improvement in mechanical performance:
- Old Fleet Performance: Current Arrow III and Comet cars travel between 30,000 and 40,000 miles before a mechanical failure.
- New Fleet Performance: The Multilevel III cars are engineered to travel approximately 400,000 miles between failures—a tenfold increase in reliability.
“New Jersey commuters deserve a transit system that is reliable and state-of-the-art,” Sherrill said. “By upgrading its fleet of vehicles, NJ TRANSIT is providing greater comfort, efficiency, and dependability to riders statewide.”
The new rail cars aren’t just more reliable; they are faster and more comfortable. Key features include:
- Increased Capacity: More seating to accommodate growing demand.
- Higher Speeds: Capability to reach up to 110 m.p.h.
- Tech Integration: USB charging ports and high-definition onboard information screens.
- Power Car Efficiency: The new power cars can propel themselves and other coaches without a locomotive, allowing for faster acceleration and smoother stops.
The first rail car will undergo several months of rigorous testing and commissioning in New Jersey. Up to 40 additional cars are expected to enter passenger service by the end of 2026.
“Modernizing our fleet is essential to delivering the high-quality service our customers expect,” NJ TRANSIT CEO Kris Kolluri said. “These investments are designed to deliver more consistent service while improving comfort and accessibility across our system.”
For New Jersey families, the arrival of the Multilevel III represents more than just new hardware; it is a commitment to a transit system that finally matches the pace of the 21st century.
While the Multilevel III cars stole the spotlight, NJ TRANSIT also showcased significant upgrades across its other modes of travel:
| Vehicle Type | Key Modernization Features |
| New 40-Foot Buses | Low-floor design for easier boarding, USB ports, and advanced blind-spot/turn-warning cameras. |
| Access Link Vehicles | New BraunAbility ProMaster Low Floor vans designed for faster, ADA-compliant embarking. |
| River LINE Light Rail | Fully renovated passenger compartments with new flooring, seating, and LED lighting. |
| Mobile Command Center | A 45-foot state-of-the-art NJ TRANSIT Police hub with six workstations and a 12-seat conference room. |
