TRENTON, NJ — Regular service has been restored on NJ Transit’s River Line service between Trenton and Camden, N.J.
Around-the-clock weekend inspections returned a dozen of the route’s 19 Swiss-built Stadler DMUs to service in time for Monday’s commute, enough to support a normal schedule. Most of the equipment was sidelined Friday. [See “Wheel issue disrupts NJ Transit River Line light rail service,” Trains News Wire, June 7, 2019.]
Last week, hairline cracks were found in a small number of wheels from manufacturer MWL Brasil Rodas & Exios LTDA during regularly scheduled inspections. Subsequent inspections found six defects on five vehicles, and as of Friday afternoon, only five of the DMUs were available. But Sunday, NJ Transit announced the restoration of regular service after 14 vehicles passed inspections. Testing continues on the remaining equipment.
“I applaud the outstanding effort by our River Line employees and our partners at Bombardier for their non-stop effort in restoring service as safely and quickly as possible,” NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett said in a statement.
With some rail capacity still reduced, River Line trains will be supplemented with express shuttle bus service between the Trenton Transit Center, Florence, Beverly and Camden’s Walter Rand Transportation Center during morning and afternoon peak periods.
Bombardier maintains the River Line equipment under a Design Build Operate Maintain agreement. About 9,000 passengers use the route daily.
