(The following story by Larry Higgs appeared on the Asbury Park Press website on June 14.)
NEWARK — NJ Transit’s board of directors went new-car shopping and came back with a deal.
Instead of rebuilding the fleet of 17-year-old rail cars, the state commuter agency voted Wednesday to exercise an option to buy 45 more multilevel rail cars at a cost of $67 million. The money, which would have been spent overhauling old cars, will be used to buy new ones.
“It was done because of the favorable cost,” said Richard Sarles, NJ Transit executive director. “We have a fixed price for the option (to buy new multilevel cars) versus the cost of overhaul.”
Rebuilding the old Comet III cars was estimated to cost at least $1 million a car, Sarles said. By purchasing more multilevel cars, the agency also will gain seats and reduce the number of riders who have to stand, he said.
The board bought the additional multilevel cars under the terms of an earlier contract with Bombardier Transportation of Canada, which currently is building the initial order of 234 bi-level cars. The entire fleet of multilevel cars is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2009.
Another factor in the decision was the fact that the multilevel cars have more comfortable two-by-two seating and eliminate the three-person seat, which is unpopular with riders, Sarles said.
Rider Cathy Kelly of Long Beach Island was waiting for the 10:56 a.m. North Jersey Coast Line train at Penn Station Newark on Wednesday. She said the decision was a good one, as she watched NJ Transit’s only multilevel train in service depart for Trenton.
“I have ridden them, and it’s comfortable, especially if you’re coming to Newark for a major event,” Kelly said. “I took them to the (Madison Square) Garden, and they can really accommodate a crowd.”
Included in the purchase are eight multilevel cars to be used for express rail service between New York and Atlantic City. Three casinos and the Atlantic City Redevelopment Authority are funding the purchase of those cars.
The first train of multilevel cars is in service on the North East Corridor Line, and another set of bi-level cars is scheduled to be placed in service next month. So far, 23 multilevel rail cars have been delivered to NJ Transit.
Ultimately, multilevel cars will run on the North East Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris and Essex lines. No date has been scheduled for the first Coast Line train of bi-levels to run.
Bill Wright, a director for the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers, also praised the decision.
“The multilevel cars give NJ Transit more capacity,” he said. “It’s a good investment.”
The board also approved a $10.3 million contract with PTK-MARK III Inc. of Newtown, Pa., to replace the timber approach spans to the Big Shark River drawbridge between Belmar and Avon on the North Jersey Coast Line.
Construction on the steel and concrete replacement spans is scheduled to start in three to four months and will take two years, NJ Transit officials said.
The bridge was built in 1921 and carries 48 Coast Line trains a day. Work will be done during off-peak hours and will not impede marine traffic.