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Yesterday, New Jersey Transit unveiled its first dual-powered locomotive during a ceremony at Newark Penn Station. Built by Bombardier Transportation, the locomotive is “another step forward in the modernization of the state’s rail fleet,” NJ Transit officials said in a prepared statement.

In September 2008, the agency’s board awarded a $310 million contract to Bombardier to supply 26 dual-powered locomotives, which can operate in both electrified and non-electrified territory. Delivery is expected to be completed by late 2012.

The dual-powered locomotives will provide better acceleration, more efficient and cleaner operation in electric mode, and reduce fuel usage, NJ Transit officials said. The locomotives also will meet the latest federal emissions requirements.
 
“These new locomotives will have the benefit of being quieter, more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly than the locomotives they’ll replace, some of which are 40 years old,” said NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein.

Meanwhile, NJ Transit also announced that its board has advanced a project designed to extend Hudson-Bergen light-rail service farther west in Jersey City.
 
Following the completion of an alternatives analysis to explore the feasibility of a western light-rail extension across Route 440, the board adopted a locally preferred alternative (LPA), which will be submitted to the North Jersey Transportation Authority for inclusion in a long-range regional transportation plan.

Under the LPA, the project would include construction of a 0.7-mile, two-track extension on an elevated viaduct. The extension would include a new center-island platform station.
 
“A westward extension of the light rail from West Side Avenue would provide customers with ready access to light-rail service from the busy Route 440 corridor,” said Weinstein, adding that riders now must access the light-rail system via side streets.

NJ Transit also announced plans to expand its “Quiet Commute” program to lines serving Hoboken Terminal, marking a system-wide rollout for peak-period trains. Starting June 1, quiet cars will be added to all peak-period, peak- direction trains that begin or end trips at Hoboken Terminal. The designated quiet car will be the first car on peak-period trains traveling into Hoboken, and the last car on trains departing Hoboken.
 
MTA Metro-North Railroad is partnering with NJ Transit on the quiet commute program to include a rush-hour-only quiet car concept on Port Jervis and Pascack Valley trains.

“We have been monitoring this program in New Jersey, and if the idea is well received by commuters in Orange and Rockland counties, we may initiate it on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines,” said Metro-North President Howard Permut.