NJ Transit Shifted Plans After Bus Project Halted
New Jersey transit officials have moved to purchase a former Coach USA garage following a freeze on electrification funds.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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NJ Transit has pivoted its strategy for Northern New Jersey bus operations, moving to acquire a 200-bus capacity facility in Westwood after halting the planned Northern Bus Garage project. This shift follows federal funding freezes that impacted regional electric bus infrastructure efforts.
Why it matters
The change follows a federal administrative push away from battery-electric bus mandates in favor of alternative fuels like clean diesel and hybrids. For residents, this move reflects a broader pivot in state transit infrastructure priorities following the freezing of $324 million in electrification grants.
NJ Transit board members authorized purchase negotiations for the 4.73-acre Westwood site on September 16, 2026. This facility offers space for 200 buses, replacing the capacity needed while the project for the 500-bus Northern Bus Garage remains stalled.
The players
NJ Transit
The state-level agency responsible for managing bus and rail operations throughout New Jersey.
Coach USA
A private transportation company that formerly operated the Westwood facility and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024.
Federal Transit Administration
The federal body that manages transit grants and recently froze funding for battery-electric bus projects.
The details
NJ Transit opted to lease and renovate the Westwood site, which Coach USA had shuttered in 2020 before entering bankruptcy in 2024. The move addresses critical operational needs as the agency continues to face issues with the flood-prone Oradell facility. The strategy shifts away from the previously planned electric bus infrastructure after $324 million in federal grants was frozen in March 2026, forcing a reliance on legacy fuel models.
Timeline
Coach USA closed the Westwood facility in 2020.
Funds for electric vehicle infrastructure were frozen by executive order on January 21, 2025.
Electrification grants totaling $324 million were frozen in March 2026.
NJ Transit board members approved purchase negotiations for the Westwood site on September 16, 2026.
The Home Front
This move signals a pivot in state-level infrastructure development as agencies adjust to shifting federal grant priorities. It highlights how regional transit projects must now reconcile long-term facility needs with the current federal preference for traditional combustion-based alternatives.
Commuters should monitor for potential service adjustments in Bergen County as NJ Transit transitions operations from the flood-prone Oradell site to the new Westwood facility. Homeowners near these transit hubs may want to track upcoming board announcements for any local changes to bus frequency or facility noise impact.
The takeaway
The agency is prioritizing immediate operational capacity at the Westwood garage while broader electrification plans remain in limbo. Residents can keep an eye on official NJ Transit board meeting minutes for finalized details on the facility's opening timeline and future operational impact.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's transition at New Jersey Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
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