Overview
- NJ Transit, which unveiled the Multilevel III rail car Monday, has two cars in testing and expects the first to carry riders by late summer or early fall.
- About 40 new cars are slated to be in service by the end of 2026 as part of a more than $3 billion fleet program running through 2031.
- The new double-decker cars add more seats, improve accessibility, reach up to 110 mph, and include USB charging ports and onboard information screens.
- The bus refresh brings 40‑foot vehicles with low floors and ramps for faster boarding, brighter LED lighting, clearer intercoms, driver blind‑spot cameras, and audible turn warnings for pedestrians.
- Officials say the new vehicles should cut breakdowns by replacing 1970s–80s stock, though shared Amtrak tracks and tight New York Penn Station operations will still limit major gains.