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Rolling stock
Today the Newark Light Rail system uses a new-model vehicle built by Kinki
Sharyo of Japan. This vehicle, the same one used by the Hudson Bergen Light Rail
system, is a double-articulated vehicle with three segments. Each of the two end
segments has an operator's cab at the far end, thus eliminating the need for the
vehicle to turn itself around physically in order to reverse direction. Each end
segment also has seating for 16 passengers on an upper level, and seating for 13
passengers on the lower level, including one special fold-down seat intended for
pregnant women at the advanced state of gestation. Next to this fold-down seat
is an empty space that a wheelchair-bound passenger may use. With these two
segments, and a middle segment that seats ten passengers (five on each side),
the vehicle can comfortably accommodate 68 seated passengers and two
wheelchairs. An additional 122 passengers could stand in the vehicle, if
necessary.
The capacity of any particular "run" along the system can double by coupling two
of these vehicles together and running them as a train.
Timeline
December 22, 1910: The Public Service Corporation first announces plans to build
the subway, initially including a line under Broad Street from Bridge Street to
Clinton Avenue.
May 26, 1935: The subway opens from Broad Street to Heller Parkway. The #21 line
is routed onto the subway via the Warren Street Ramp and level junction at the
Orange Street grade crossing. The #23 line is routed via the Norfolk Street
Ramp. The #29 line starts using the Bloomfield Avenue Ramp.
June 20, 1937: The extension to Newark Penn Station opens. This is the same day
that the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (present-day PATH) withdraws service from
its Park Place terminal and first operates into its new alignment at Newark Penn
Station. The #13, #27 and #43 lines are rerouted to Penn Station via the Cedar
Street Subway; the #27 and #43 had used the lower level of the Newark Public
Service Terminal.
June 21, 1937: The #17 line is rerouted via the Cedar Street Subway.
July 18, 1937: The #13 and #17 lines stop using the Cedar Street Subway.
December 29, 1937: The #27 line stops using the Cedar Street Subway.
May 1, 1938: The #43 line stops using the Cedar Street Subway, ending all
service on that connection.
November 22, 1940: The extension to North 6th Street (later Franklin Avenue)
opens.
December 14, 1947: The #23 line stops using the Norfolk Street Ramp.
March 1, 1951: The #21 line stops using the Warren Street Ramp.
March 29, 1952: The #21 line stops using the level junction at the Orange Street
grade crossing.
March 30, 1952: The #29 line stops using the Bloomfield Avenue ramps.
January 8, 1954: The first PCC car uses the subway.
October 1980: NJ Transit takes over operations.
August 21, 1999: The subway is closed for two weeks for an overhaul.
September 7, 1999: The subway reopens.
August 24, 2001: The PCC cars are officially retired from service.
August 27, 2001: The new light rail vehicles begin operation.
June 21, 2002: Heller Parkway closes.
June 22, 2002: Silver Lake and Grove Street open.
September 4, 2004: Broad Street is renamed Military Park.
January 8, 2005: Additional late-night service is provided to Grove Street.
July 17, 2006: The Newark City Subway extension opens, with service between
Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street. Service is officially rebranded as
the Newark Light Rail with two segments, Newark City Subway and Newark Light
Rail.
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