River Line (New Jersey Transit)
Encyclopedia
The River Line is a diesel light rail
system in New Jersey
, United States
, that connects the cities of Camden
and Trenton
, New Jersey's capital. It is operated for New Jersey Transit
by the Southern New Jersey Rail Group (SNJRG), which originally included Bechtel Group and Bombardier
. Now that the project is in its operational phase, Bombardier is the only member of SNJRG. The River Line is so named because the path between those two cities runs more or less parallel to the Delaware River
.
The River Line stops at the PATCO
Speedline's Broadway Station (Walter Rand Transportation Center
), allowing passengers to transfer to and from this connection to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
. Ownership proceeded under Penn Central and Conrail until June 1, 1999, but the original passenger service had been abandoned in 1963.
, and Woodbury Heights
/Glassboro
, utilizing three existing railroad corridors. This plan was considered unrealistically expensive. PATCO elected to focus its resources on the most promising corridor, the Philadelphia-Lindenwold. The PATCO high-speed line was first to enter construction, completed in 1969, re-using parts of the 1926 Philadelphia-Camden Bridge Line subway, and constructing a grade-separated line within the Atlantic City Rail Line right-of-way. Interestingly, PATCO's initial proposal did not include the alignment that became the River LINE corridor, but planned to serve Burlington County
via the Mount Holly alignment.
NJ Transit's planning for the Burlington-Gloucester Transit System (later the RiverLINE) began in the early 1990s. The primary goals of the BGTS were:
A Major Investment Study (MIS) published in 1996 concluded that a Gloucester route was more suitable than a Burlington route based on travel demand and citizen support. This study included substantial public participation
: fourteen open houses, three advisory committees, and other public outreach. The process found substantial neighborhood opposition to the Mount Holly
alignment through Burlington county - in fact, the county freeholders publicly opposed the possibility. Opposition was particularly strong in Moorestown Township, partly because of a potential street-running section. Meanwhile, Gloucester county leaders were largely ambivalent towards the project.
Dissatisfied with this analysis, Senator C. William Haines passed legislation in the New Jersey State Senate requiring NJ Transit to study rail transit service along the Delaware River
between Trenton, Camden, and Glassboro. Haines, a native of Moorestown, sought the benefits of rail for Burlington county without the disruption to his hometown.
Two special studies were commissioned to supplement the alternatives identified in the MIS. The second of these special studies examined the Bordentown Secondary, another Conrail corridor through Burlington County, the alignment of today’s RiverLINE. The parallel NJ Transit local bus on U.S. Route 130
was heavily patronized, and the corridor was ripe for economic development. Since the original intent of the Mount Holly service was to provide transit to the people of Burlington County, it was felt that the new alignment would achieve a similar objective.
Although the MIS focused on providing connectivity from South Jersey counties to PATCO service via a transfer point in Camden, an equally important goal was to provide the economic impetus to spark the redevelopment of the Camden waterfront and serving the city itself.
In November 1996, NJ Transit's board of directors approved a light rail transit alignment from Glassboro to Trenton with diesel light rail transit cars based on the findings of the Special Study. The entire alignment constitutes the SNJLRTS project. The Board also established the Initial Operating Corridor (IOC) to be the Trenton-Camden Corridor. The draft environmental impact statement
(DEIS) was completed in 1998, and the contract with SNJRG was finalized in 1999, permitting the system to open to the public in 2004.
Much of the political impetus that led to the funding and construction of the River LINE was, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, State Senator C. William Haines. He was in effect the father of the River LINE. The entire line was 100% funded by the State of New Jersey from its Transportation Trust Fund. No federal capital was expended for this diesel light rail project. Former NJ Transit executive director George Warrington has described the River Line as "the poster child for how not to plan and make decisions about a transit investment."
until June 1, 1999, when NJ Transit bought it for $67.5 million. NJ Transit has exclusive access to run light rail passenger service on the line from 05:30 to 22:10 Sunday through Friday, and all of Saturday night and Sunday morning. Conrail has exclusive access for freight at other times. Either agency may request to use the line at abnormal times in case of a special event or emergency.
The relatively early shutdown of the line has been a frequently raised concern of the River LINE, as it is unattractive to those wishing to attend late evening events in Camden or Philadelphia. The concern stems from the inability to serve several important markets: events at Camden’s waterfront entertainment center often conclude after 10 p.m.; service to second shift workers whose shift change occurs at 11 p.m. is impossible under time separation; service prior to 6 a.m. is needed to serve early morning commuter demands making connections to Philadelphia at Camden and at Trenton for the Northeast Corridor
. All these aspects of the service are critically important to improving transit-oriented development within the corridor.
Within a year of the River LINE's launch, the FRA granted permission to adjust timesharing agreement (more technically, "temporal separation") terms. NJ Transit and Conrail agreed to divide the line into two segments, from Camden to Bordentown (south), and from Bordentown to Trenton (north). In the northern section, the passenger period starts at 5:45 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. Initially, these new periods allowed NJ Transit to deadhead equipment from Trenton to Bordentown and Florence at 5.45 a.m., to form the 6:08 a.m. and 6:23 a.m. northbound departures. These early morning trains provide attractive connections at Trenton for NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor services to Newark
and New York City
.
The late-night bus shuttle was a temporary arrangement, started in the summer of 2006, and offered riders a guaranteed bus connection from 36th Street station
, the last station not subject to the timesharing agreement, to the Pennsauken/Route 73
park and ride station. This arrangement operated until late 2006 when NJ Transit upgraded signals on the line to allow full late-night light rail operation to the Pennsauken/Route 73
station.
As detailed previously, NJ Transit purchased the Bordentown Secondary freight line from Conrail to develop light rail service between Camden and Trenton in 2000. Almost the entire length of the project, except for street-running portion at either end, is shared between non-FRA compliant light rail DMUs and heavy mainline freight trains. The 32-mile shared-track segment contains a mixture of single and double track sections.
The River LINE was initially designed for commingled operations (i.e., where freight trains and light rail trains may operate on the same line controlled only by the signal systems) to provide maximum flexibility both for the freight and transit operators. The line, rebuilt under a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) contract, features mainline railroad signals with full centralized traffic control
(CTC). River LINE operating personnel use a modified version of the NORAC Rules, a standard set of railroad operating rules used by mainline railroads operating in the Northeastern U.S., including Amtrak and Conrail.
Signals set to stop for the diesel light rail cars are positively enforced via an inductive loop trip-stop system. The system is similar (but not identical) to the German Indusi system, where signal aspects are transmitted to moving trains via electro-magnetic fields transmitted by wayside devices. The "magnetic train stop" devices, affectionately known as "upside down canoes", are placed about 1 foot away from the running rails, and in advance of the signal. Train's emergency brakes are automatically engaged if a stop signal overrun occurs.
The River Line operates on a proof-of-payment system, as typical of most light rail systems throughout the United States. Passengers can buy the tickets at ticket vending machines (TVM) present at all stations, with the base fare being $1.50. The tickets then must be validated at separate ticket validation machines, where machine will print an expiration time/date stamp on the ticket; tickets are valid for two hours from the time of validation. Passengers must hold a valid ticket before boarding the train, and can face fines if a ticket inspector finds them on-board without proper proof of payment. Passengers holding valid New Jersey Transit bus passes or weekly or monthly rail tickets can present any of those as they are honored on the River Line. Unused Newark City Subway (same $1.50 fare) and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
($2.10) tickets can be used after validation at a River Line station. As of 2004, rider fares only covered 7% of costs (not including debt service).
DMU (diesel multiple unit
) cars. The River LINE is the first light rail system in the United States to use these instead of more typical electric vehicles.
The diesel LRV offers a tighter turning radius than typical main line light rail vehicles and thus is capable of street running. The basic GTW is the 2/6 which indicates that two of the six axles are powered. The vehicle is more than 65% low floor. The River LINE uses the diesel-electric version of the GTW. 551 GTW units have been sold to date and are in use in Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece ,Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland to serve at 30 different LRV Operators.
All service along the River Line is fully ADA compliant
, as the stations and rolling stock were built after 1990.
, which crosses directly over the River Line in Pennsauken, was highly criticized at the time of the River Line's opening. NJT subsequently reconsidered; in March 2009, NJT announced that an intermodal station linking the River Line and the Atlantic City Line is to be constructed in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The new intermodal
station will include one low-level platform for River Line trains, two high-level platforms for Atlantic City line commuter trains, and 280 parking spaces. A ground breaking ceremony was held for the Pennsauken transfer station on October 19, 2009. The second and final phase of construction was approved by the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors on July 13, 2011. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2012, but service will not begin until 2013.
on city streets. Such an extension would provide direct service to the workplaces of state employees and other workers in downtown Trenton. While the project is supported by City of Trenton officials, NJT did not elect to expand the already over-budget construction effort, but instead operates a branded "Capitol Connection" bus service, requiring River Line riders to transfer at Trenton Transit Center.
in Ewing Township, New Jersey
, connecting with SEPTA's
West Trenton Line
service to Center City Philadelphia via Bucks
and Montgomery
counties. NJ Transit listed this extension on its 2020 Transit wish list map, but has not taken further action.
, the agency which manages the PATCO Hi-Speed Line, announced plans to introduce a diesel light rail line operating between Camden and Glassboro, with construction to tentatively start in 2010 and last for five years as part of a comprehensive transportation plan for South Jersey. The plan includes express bus service along the NJ 42 and NJ 55 freeways, improvements to the Atlantic City Rail Line, and enhanced connections to the Atlantic City International Airport. It is not known whether this will be operated by NJ Transit as an extension of the existing River Line or as a stand-alone operation by the DRPA. The project is currently at the Environmental Analysis stage. However, the current plan shows the line starting at the Walter Rand Transportation Center, not the end of the line, Entertainment Center Station.
. In some places there is no room for double-track service, such as Burlington
(where streets flank the lone track on either side), Palmyra
and Bordentown
. Increasing headway
s from the current peak level of 15 minutes would require building more passing sidings or a full double track
. NJT has shown no interest so far in doing so.
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
system in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, that connects the cities of Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
and Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, New Jersey's capital. It is operated for New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
by the Southern New Jersey Rail Group (SNJRG), which originally included Bechtel Group and Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
. Now that the project is in its operational phase, Bombardier is the only member of SNJRG. The River Line is so named because the path between those two cities runs more or less parallel to the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
.
The River Line stops at the PATCO
Port Authority Transit Corporation
The PATCO Speedline, also known colloquially as the High Speed Line, is a rapid transit system operated by the Port Authority Transit Corporation, which runs between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden County, New Jersey...
Speedline's Broadway Station (Walter Rand Transportation Center
Walter Rand Transportation Center
The Walter Rand Transportation Center is a transportation hub located at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Broadway in Camden, New Jersey, named for Walter Rand, a former New Jersey State Senator, who specialized in transportation issues while serving in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature...
), allowing passengers to transfer to and from this connection to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Ridership
The River Line is currently exceeding final ridership estimates of 5,500 passengers per day, with an average of 7,350 weekday, 5,550 Saturday, and 3,600 Sunday average passenger trips during FY 2006. As of the fourth quarter of 2007, the daily weekday ridership has grown to an average of 7900 trips. As of the end of 2008, weekday ridership was 9,000, the current capacity of the system.Alignment
The River Line was constructed on what originally was the Camden - Bordentown section and the Bordentown - Trenton Branch of the Camden and Amboy Railroad. The lines ran under the C&A name between 1830 and 1871, when the line was absorbed into the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. Ownership proceeded under Penn Central and Conrail until June 1, 1999, but the original passenger service had been abandoned in 1963.
Planning
The planning for NJ Transit's RiverLINE spanned at least three decades and over multiple planning agencies. Early planning for NJ Transit's River LINE began under the auspices of PATCO's 1960 plan for all-rail service to Moorestown/Mount Holly, LindenwoldLindenwold, New Jersey
Lindenwold is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 17,613.The Borough of Lindenwold was created on April 23, 1929, from Clementon Township, one of seven municipalities created from the now-defunct township, and one of...
, and Woodbury Heights
Woodbury Heights, New Jersey
Woodbury Heights is a Borough located in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 2,988....
/Glassboro
Glassboro, New Jersey
Glassboro is a borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 19,068....
, utilizing three existing railroad corridors. This plan was considered unrealistically expensive. PATCO elected to focus its resources on the most promising corridor, the Philadelphia-Lindenwold. The PATCO high-speed line was first to enter construction, completed in 1969, re-using parts of the 1926 Philadelphia-Camden Bridge Line subway, and constructing a grade-separated line within the Atlantic City Rail Line right-of-way. Interestingly, PATCO's initial proposal did not include the alignment that became the River LINE corridor, but planned to serve Burlington County
Burlington County, New Jersey
There were 154,371 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had...
via the Mount Holly alignment.
NJ Transit's planning for the Burlington-Gloucester Transit System (later the RiverLINE) began in the early 1990s. The primary goals of the BGTS were:
- Connecting South Jersey Communities to Philadelphia
- Providing streetcar service to Downtown Camden
- Providing Regional Rail Transit Service to Burlington and GloucesterGloucester County, New JerseyGloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
Counties
A Major Investment Study (MIS) published in 1996 concluded that a Gloucester route was more suitable than a Burlington route based on travel demand and citizen support. This study included substantial public participation
Public participation
Public participation is a political principle or practice, and may also be recognised as a right . The terms public participation may be used interchangeably with the concept or practice of stakeholder engagement and/or popular participation.Generally public participation seeks and facilitates the...
: fourteen open houses, three advisory committees, and other public outreach. The process found substantial neighborhood opposition to the Mount Holly
Mount Holly Township, New Jersey
Mount Holly Township is a township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States as well as an eastern suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,728. It is the county seat of Burlington County....
alignment through Burlington county - in fact, the county freeholders publicly opposed the possibility. Opposition was particularly strong in Moorestown Township, partly because of a potential street-running section. Meanwhile, Gloucester county leaders were largely ambivalent towards the project.
Dissatisfied with this analysis, Senator C. William Haines passed legislation in the New Jersey State Senate requiring NJ Transit to study rail transit service along the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
between Trenton, Camden, and Glassboro. Haines, a native of Moorestown, sought the benefits of rail for Burlington county without the disruption to his hometown.
Two special studies were commissioned to supplement the alternatives identified in the MIS. The second of these special studies examined the Bordentown Secondary, another Conrail corridor through Burlington County, the alignment of today’s RiverLINE. The parallel NJ Transit local bus on U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where...
was heavily patronized, and the corridor was ripe for economic development. Since the original intent of the Mount Holly service was to provide transit to the people of Burlington County, it was felt that the new alignment would achieve a similar objective.
Although the MIS focused on providing connectivity from South Jersey counties to PATCO service via a transfer point in Camden, an equally important goal was to provide the economic impetus to spark the redevelopment of the Camden waterfront and serving the city itself.
Environmental impact statement
An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
(DEIS) was completed in 1998, and the contract with SNJRG was finalized in 1999, permitting the system to open to the public in 2004.
Much of the political impetus that led to the funding and construction of the River LINE was, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, State Senator C. William Haines. He was in effect the father of the River LINE. The entire line was 100% funded by the State of New Jersey from its Transportation Trust Fund. No federal capital was expended for this diesel light rail project. Former NJ Transit executive director George Warrington has described the River Line as "the poster child for how not to plan and make decisions about a transit investment."
Ownership and Time Sharing Agreement
Except at its ends, the River Line was Conrail's Bordentown SecondaryBordentown Secondary (Conrail)
Conrail's Bordentown Secondary is a freight line in New Jersey, running from Pavonia Yard in Camden to Trenton. Today, a large portion of the line from Bordentown to Camden is used for New Jersey Transit's River Line light rail service; as a result, freight movement on the line is restricted to...
until June 1, 1999, when NJ Transit bought it for $67.5 million. NJ Transit has exclusive access to run light rail passenger service on the line from 05:30 to 22:10 Sunday through Friday, and all of Saturday night and Sunday morning. Conrail has exclusive access for freight at other times. Either agency may request to use the line at abnormal times in case of a special event or emergency.
The relatively early shutdown of the line has been a frequently raised concern of the River LINE, as it is unattractive to those wishing to attend late evening events in Camden or Philadelphia. The concern stems from the inability to serve several important markets: events at Camden’s waterfront entertainment center often conclude after 10 p.m.; service to second shift workers whose shift change occurs at 11 p.m. is impossible under time separation; service prior to 6 a.m. is needed to serve early morning commuter demands making connections to Philadelphia at Camden and at Trenton for the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
. All these aspects of the service are critically important to improving transit-oriented development within the corridor.
Within a year of the River LINE's launch, the FRA granted permission to adjust timesharing agreement (more technically, "temporal separation") terms. NJ Transit and Conrail agreed to divide the line into two segments, from Camden to Bordentown (south), and from Bordentown to Trenton (north). In the northern section, the passenger period starts at 5:45 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. Initially, these new periods allowed NJ Transit to deadhead equipment from Trenton to Bordentown and Florence at 5.45 a.m., to form the 6:08 a.m. and 6:23 a.m. northbound departures. These early morning trains provide attractive connections at Trenton for NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor services to Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Service Improvements
NJ Transit is continuing to improve service within the constraints of the timesharing agreement, with the construction of a mid-line yard in 2005 to permit later Burlington arrivals in the evening, and earlier departures after 6 a.m. Since the River LINE opened, NJ Transit has made the following service enhancements:- Introduced 15-minute peak-period service in June 2004
- Enhanced Capital Connection bus service in Trenton to provide better connections for state workers with River LINE trains in June 2004
- Launched new early morning service to Trenton from Florence and Roebling in September 2004, enabling customers to make earlier connections to Northeast Corridor trains
- Launched new early service from Cinnaminson to Camden in January 2005
- Launched late-night bus shuttle service between 36th Street Station in Camden to Route 73/Pennsauken in 2006
- Added early-morning trips from Burlington South and Burlington Towne Centre stations in September 2006 to create additional Northeast Corridor and PATCO connections
- Added a later, 9:30 p.m. Trenton departure in September 2006
- Added late-night, seven days a week service from Camden to Pennsauken, with the last train leaving Entertainment Center Station at 12:00 a.m.
- Added early-morning trains for both weekdays and weekends, including a special limited-stop weekday train leaving at 5:53 a.m. from Walter Rand Transportation Center and arriving at Trenton at 6:42 a.m. (normal runs take 58 minutes, compared to the 49 minutes for the limited-stop train), allowing commuters ample time to transfer to a 6:50 scheduled New York City-bound express train
The late-night bus shuttle was a temporary arrangement, started in the summer of 2006, and offered riders a guaranteed bus connection from 36th Street station
36th Street (River LINE station)
36th Street is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on 36th Street in Camden, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to the Camden waterfront...
, the last station not subject to the timesharing agreement, to the Pennsauken/Route 73
Pennsauken-Route 73 (River LINE station)
Pennsauken/Route 73 is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on River Road in Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey...
park and ride station. This arrangement operated until late 2006 when NJ Transit upgraded signals on the line to allow full late-night light rail operation to the Pennsauken/Route 73
Pennsauken-Route 73 (River LINE station)
Pennsauken/Route 73 is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on River Road in Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey...
station.
Operations and Signalling
The River LINE was initially designed for commingled operations (i.e., where freight trains and light rail trains may operate on the same line controlled only by the signal systems) to provide maximum flexibility both for the freight and transit operators. The line, rebuilt under a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) contract, features mainline railroad signals with full centralized traffic control
Centralized traffic control
Centralized traffic control is a form of railway signalling that originated in North America and centralizes train routing decisions that were previously carried out by local signal operators or the train crews themselves. The system consists of a centralized train dispatcher's office that...
(CTC). River LINE operating personnel use a modified version of the NORAC Rules, a standard set of railroad operating rules used by mainline railroads operating in the Northeastern U.S., including Amtrak and Conrail.
Signals set to stop for the diesel light rail cars are positively enforced via an inductive loop trip-stop system. The system is similar (but not identical) to the German Indusi system, where signal aspects are transmitted to moving trains via electro-magnetic fields transmitted by wayside devices. The "magnetic train stop" devices, affectionately known as "upside down canoes", are placed about 1 foot away from the running rails, and in advance of the signal. Train's emergency brakes are automatically engaged if a stop signal overrun occurs.
Payment and Ticketing
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City , and North Bergen.The system began...
($2.10) tickets can be used after validation at a River Line station. As of 2004, rider fares only covered 7% of costs (not including debt service).
Rolling stock
The River LINE fleet composes 20 articulated Stadler GTW 2/6Stadler GTW
The Stadler GTW, sold by Stadler Rail of Switzerland, is an articulated railcar for local transport. GTW stands for Gelenktriebwagen .-Description:...
DMU (diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
) cars. The River LINE is the first light rail system in the United States to use these instead of more typical electric vehicles.
The diesel LRV offers a tighter turning radius than typical main line light rail vehicles and thus is capable of street running. The basic GTW is the 2/6 which indicates that two of the six axles are powered. The vehicle is more than 65% low floor. The River LINE uses the diesel-electric version of the GTW. 551 GTW units have been sold to date and are in use in Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece ,Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland to serve at 30 different LRV Operators.
Stations
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
, as the stations and rolling stock were built after 1990.
| Municipality | Station / Location |
Opened | Transfers and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton Trenton, New Jersey Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913... |
Trenton Trenton Rail Station (New Jersey) Trenton Transit Center, formerly known as Trenton Rail Station, is the main passenger train station in Trenton, New Jersey. It is the southernmost stop in New Jersey on the Northeast Corridor... South Clinton Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | Northern terminus NJT Northeast Corridor Line Northeast Corridor Line The Northeast Corridor Line is a commuter rail operation run by New Jersey Transit along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. It is the successor to commuter services provided by the Pennsylvania Railroad along the section between Trenton, New Jersey and New York Penn Station... /SEPTA Trenton Line, SEPTA 127 bus SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority operates or contracts operation of these routes serving points in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, with a few routes operating into the city of Philadelphia. The Suburban Transit Division is broken down into three divisions... /Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... Northeast Corridor Northeast Corridor The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities... New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 409, 418, 600, 601, 604, 608, 609, 611 Note: The Light Rail stop is West of the Rail Station. |
| Hamilton Avenue Hamilton Avenue (River LINE station) Hamilton Avenue is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Hamilton Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... Hamilton Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 409, 601, 603, 609 |
|
| Cass Street Cass Street (River LINE station) Cass Street is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Cass Street at Route 129 in Trenton, New Jersey. Mercer County Waterfront Park is located five blocks away down Cass Street, while both the Hamilton Avenue stop and Sun National Bank Center are located a few blocks north on... Cass Street at Route 129 |
March 15, 2004 | ||
| Bordentown Bordentown, New Jersey Bordentown City is in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,924. Bordentown is located at the confluence of the Delaware River, Blacks Creek and Crosswicks Creek... |
Bordentown Bordentown (River LINE station) Bordentown is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on West Park Avenue in Bordentown, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... West Park Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 409 |
| Florence Township Florence Township, New Jersey -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,746 people, 4,149 households, and 2,891 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,106.5 people per square mile . There were 4,391 housing units at an average density of 452.1 per square mile... |
Roebling Roebling (River LINE station) Roebling is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Hornberger Avenue in Roebling, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey, where transfer to the PATCO Speedline is available at the Walter Rand... Hornberger Avenue near Railroad Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 409 |
| Florence Florence (River LINE station) Florence is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on U.S. Route 130 in Florence, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... U.S. Route 130 U.S. Route 130 U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where... |
March 15, 2004 | BurLink B5 Park and ride Park and ride Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip... |
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| Burlington Burlington, New Jersey Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920.... |
Burlington Towne Centre Burlington Towne Centre (River LINE station) Burlington Towne Centre is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on West Broad Street in Burlington, New Jersey. The tracks run in the middle of the street in a thin trench, so while it does run in the middle of the street, it is not considered "street running." Like many other... West Broad Street at Locust Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 409, 413, and 419 |
| Burlington South Burlington South (River LINE station) Burlington South is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on West Broad Street in Burlington, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... West Broad Street near Reed Street |
March 15, 2004 | Park and ride Park and ride Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip... |
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| Beverly Beverly, New Jersey Beverly is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 2,577.Beverly was originally incorporated as a borough on March 5, 1850, within Willingboro Township... |
Beverly/Edgewater Park Beverly-Edgewater Park (River LINE station) Beverly/Edgewater Park is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Railroad Avenue in Beverly, New Jersey, USA.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... Railroad Avenue and Elizabeth Street |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 |
| Delanco Township Delanco Township, New Jersey Delanco Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 3,237.... |
Delanco Delanco (River LINE station) Delanco is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Rhawn Avenue in Delanco Township, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... Pennsylvania Avenue at Spruce Street |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 |
| Riverside | Riverside Riverside (River LINE station) Riverside is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Franklin Street in Riverside, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... Franklin Street near Pavilion Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 BurLink B8 Burlink Shuttle Schedule Link |
| Cinnaminson Township Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey Cinnaminson includes within its boundaries the confluence point of longitude 75 degrees west and latitude 40 degrees north, one of only four such confluence points in New Jersey... |
Cinnaminson Cinnaminson (River LINE station) Cinnaminson is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Broad Street in Cinnaminson, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... River Road near Cinnaminson Harbour Boulevard |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 BurLink B10 Burlink Shuttle Schedule Link |
| Riverton Riverton, New Jersey Riverton is a Borough located in Burlington County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough had a total population of 2,759.... |
Riverton Riverton (River LINE station) Riverton is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Main Street in Riverton, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... Main Street at Broad Street |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 |
| Palmyra Palmyra, New Jersey Palmyra is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 7,091.Palmyra was originally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 19, 1894, from portions of Cinnaminson Township and Riverton... |
Palmyra Palmyra (River LINE station) Palmyra is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on East Broad Street in Palmyra, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... East Broad Street at Cinnaminson Avenue |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 BurLink B9 Burlink Shuttle Schedule Link |
| Pennsauken Township Pennsauken Township, New Jersey Pennsauken Township is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, USA, and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 35,885.... |
Pennsauken/Route 73 Pennsauken-Route 73 (River LINE station) Pennsauken/Route 73 is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on River Road in Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to Camden, New Jersey... River Road |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 419 SJTA Pennsauken/Moorestown Industrial Park shuttle Park and ride Park and ride Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip... |
| Camden Camden, New Jersey The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344... |
36th Street 36th Street (River LINE station) 36th Street is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on 36th Street in Camden, New Jersey.The station opened on March 15, 2004. Southbound service from the station is available to the Camden waterfront... 36th Street near River Road |
March 15, 2004 | New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 452 |
| Walter Rand Transportation Center Walter Rand Transportation Center The Walter Rand Transportation Center is a transportation hub located at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Broadway in Camden, New Jersey, named for Walter Rand, a former New Jersey State Senator, who specialized in transportation issues while serving in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature... Martin Luther King Boulevard and Broadway |
March 15, 2004 | PATCO Speedline Port Authority Transit Corporation The PATCO Speedline, also known colloquially as the High Speed Line, is a rapid transit system operated by the Port Authority Transit Corporation, which runs between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden County, New Jersey... New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 313/315, 317, 318, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 413, 418, 419, 450, 451, 452, 453, 457, and 551 SJTA Pureland Pureland Industrial Complex Pureland Industrial Complex is a industrial park located in Logan Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. It borders the Delaware River and Raccoon Creek, and is located south of the ports of Camden and Philadelphia. Interstate 295, U.S. Route 322 and U.S. Route 130 run through... shuttle |
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| Cooper Street/Rutgers University Cooper Street-Rutgers University (River LINE station) Cooper Street/Rutgers University is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Cooper Street in Camden, New Jersey, near the Rutgers-Camden campus. The southbound platform is located is located west of 2nd Street while the northbound platform is east of 2nd Street.The station... Cooper Street at N. 2nd Street |
March 15, 2004 | None | |
| Aquarium Aquarium (River LINE station) 'Aquarium is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Delaware Avenue in Camden, New Jersey. It is named for the nearby Adventure Aquarium.... Delaware Avenue between Market and Federal. |
March 15, 2004 | Adventure Aquarium Adventure Aquarium The Adventure Aquarium, formerly the New Jersey State Aquarium, is a for-profit educational entertainment attraction operated in Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River waterfront by the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation... New Jersey Transit New Jersey Transit The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State... buses: 452, 453, 457 |
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| Entertainment Center Entertainment Center (River LINE station) Entertainment Center is a station on the River Line light rail system, located on Delaware Avenue in Camden, New Jersey. It is the southern terminus of the River Line, and is named for the nearby Susquehanna Bank Center .The station opened on March 15, 2004... Delaware Avenue south of Harbor Boulevard. |
March 15, 2004 | Southern terminus Susquehanna Bank Center |
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Future service, stations and extensions
New Jersey Transit has proposed several possible extensions and stations to the River Line, either as parts of the initial construction plan which were deferred, or as potential future projects.Pennsauken transfer station
The lack of a direct transfer between the River Line and New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City LineAtlantic City Line
The Atlantic City Line is a rail line operated by New Jersey Transit between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, New Jersey, operating along the corridor of the White Horse Pike. It runs over trackage that was controlled by both the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pennsylvania-Reading...
, which crosses directly over the River Line in Pennsauken, was highly criticized at the time of the River Line's opening. NJT subsequently reconsidered; in March 2009, NJT announced that an intermodal station linking the River Line and the Atlantic City Line is to be constructed in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The new intermodal
Intermodal passenger transport
Intermodal passenger transport involves more than one mode of transport of passengers. Some modes of transportation have always been intermodal; for example, most major airports have extensive facilities for automobile parking and have good rail or bus connections to the cities nearby. Urban bus...
station will include one low-level platform for River Line trains, two high-level platforms for Atlantic City line commuter trains, and 280 parking spaces. A ground breaking ceremony was held for the Pennsauken transfer station on October 19, 2009. The second and final phase of construction was approved by the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors on July 13, 2011. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2012, but service will not begin until 2013.
New Jersey State House extension
The New Jersey State House lies approximately 1.3 miles to the northwest of the River Line's northern terminal at Trenton Transit Center. While the line was being constructed, NJT studied an extension that would bridge this gap via a shared right-of-wayRight-of-way (railroad)
A right-of-way is a strip of land that is granted, through an easement or other mechanism, for transportation purposes, such as for a trail, driveway, rail line or highway. A right-of-way is reserved for the purposes of maintenance or expansion of existing services with the right-of-way...
on city streets. Such an extension would provide direct service to the workplaces of state employees and other workers in downtown Trenton. While the project is supported by City of Trenton officials, NJT did not elect to expand the already over-budget construction effort, but instead operates a branded "Capitol Connection" bus service, requiring River Line riders to transfer at Trenton Transit Center.
West Trenton extension
A third proposed extension would take the River Line beyond the State House through Trenton, to West Trenton stationWest Trenton (SEPTA station)
West Trenton is the northern terminus of the SEPTA West Trenton Line. It is officially located at Grand & Railroad Avenues in Ewing, New Jersey, however this address only applies to the southbound station house on the west side of the tracks...
in Ewing Township, New Jersey
Ewing Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 35,790 people, 13,171 households, and 7,980 families residing in the township. There were 13,926 housing units. The racial makeup of the township was 63.1% White, 27.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2%...
, connecting with SEPTA's
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is a metropolitan transportation authority that operates various forms of public transit—bus, subway and elevated rail, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolley bus—that serve 3.9 million people in and around Philadelphia,...
West Trenton Line
West Trenton Line (SEPTA)
The West Trenton Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line connecting Center City Philadelphia to West Trenton, New Jersey.-Route:The West Trenton Line connects Center City, Philadelphia with the West Trenton section of Ewing, New Jersey...
service to Center City Philadelphia via Bucks
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
and Montgomery
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
counties. NJ Transit listed this extension on its 2020 Transit wish list map, but has not taken further action.
Glassboro extension
On 12 May 2009, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine and the Delaware River Port AuthorityDelaware River Port Authority
The Delaware River Port Authority is a bi-state instrumentality created by a Congressionally approved interstate compact between the governments of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey...
, the agency which manages the PATCO Hi-Speed Line, announced plans to introduce a diesel light rail line operating between Camden and Glassboro, with construction to tentatively start in 2010 and last for five years as part of a comprehensive transportation plan for South Jersey. The plan includes express bus service along the NJ 42 and NJ 55 freeways, improvements to the Atlantic City Rail Line, and enhanced connections to the Atlantic City International Airport. It is not known whether this will be operated by NJ Transit as an extension of the existing River Line or as a stand-alone operation by the DRPA. The project is currently at the Environmental Analysis stage. However, the current plan shows the line starting at the Walter Rand Transportation Center, not the end of the line, Entertainment Center Station.
Additional double-track service
Much of the River Line utilizes single trackSingle track (rail)
A single track railway is where trains in both directions share the same track. Single track is normally used on lesser used rail lines, often branch lines, where the traffic density is not high enough to justify the cost of building double tracks....
. In some places there is no room for double-track service, such as Burlington
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
(where streets flank the lone track on either side), Palmyra
Palmyra, New Jersey
Palmyra is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 7,091.Palmyra was originally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 19, 1894, from portions of Cinnaminson Township and Riverton...
and Bordentown
Bordentown, New Jersey
Bordentown City is in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,924. Bordentown is located at the confluence of the Delaware River, Blacks Creek and Crosswicks Creek...
. Increasing headway
Headway
Headway is a measurement of the distance/time between vehicles in a transit system. The precise definition varies depending on the application, but it is most commonly measured as the distance from the tip of one vehicle to the tip of the next one behind it, expressed as the time it will take for...
s from the current peak level of 15 minutes would require building more passing sidings or a full double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
. NJT has shown no interest so far in doing so.