The Newark Light Rail System consists of two main lines – the Newark City Subway and the Broad Street Extension. Together, these lines cover an impressive 10 kilometres and serve a total of 17 stations.
The cost of a standard one-way ticket on the Newark Light Rail is set at $1.60.
Trains run extensively, operating from 4:30am to 1:00am, providing a 20-hour window of availability each weekday. During these hours, trains call at stations every three to ten minutes.
Often referred to as the ‘Newark City Subway’, there is no information available on the average number of passengers per day. The fare is $1.50. However, the Newark City Subway does not operate 24 hours a day and does not have air conditioning. Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms and the trains are not driverless. The platforms do not have screen doors.
The service is operated by New Jersey Transit. The system operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The fare is $5.
Newark Metro Map
Map of Newark Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Newark Metro map in PDF format.
Newark Metro (Newark Light Rail)
Located in northern New Jersey, Newark is a bustling city with a population of approximately 280,000. This makes it the 67th largest metropolis in the United States.
Historically, Newark has been a major transportation hub due to its strategic geographic location, making it ideal for air, sea and rail transportation. As a result, it has attracted numerous corporations, law firms and educational institutions to establish their headquarters and campuses.
On a daily basis, Newark sees a large number of commuters, mainly for work or education, making it one of the busiest cities on the West Coast. Official reports indicate that the city has a daily population of approximately 150,000, a number that continues to grow over time.
In 2006, in response to escalating traffic problems, local authorities introduced a major public transport system – the Newark Light Rail.
The rail service officially opened on 17 July that year. This suburban rail service operates underground in downtown Newark, while some outlying areas operate above ground.
Despite its relatively recent introduction, the Newark Light Rail is an upgrade of an earlier streetcar system that had served Newark since 1935 and was subsequently replaced by the Newark Light Rail.
Lines and Stations
The Newark Light Rail consists of two commercial lines that span 10 kilometres and connect 17 stations, providing extensive coverage of the city.
The rail system extends from the northern part of Newark to downtown Newark, and connects with other transit services to provide comprehensive citywide coverage.
Newark City Subway
This line runs from north Newark to downtown Newark, stopping at 12 stations along the way. The line is primarily underground, and although it is part of a light rail system, the distinctive design of the trains can cause them to be mistaken for trams.
Stations include: Grove Street, Silver Lake, Branch Brook Park, Davenport Avenue, Bloomfield Avenue, Park Avenue, Orange Street, Norfolk Street, Warren Street/NJIT, Washington Street, Military Park, Pennsylvania Station.
Broad Street Extension
This surface line of the Newark Light Rail runs above ground through downtown Newark. There are six stations along the route with connections to other public transport services.
Stations include: Pennsylvania Station, NJPAC/Center Street, Washington Park, Atlantic Street, Riverfront Stadium, Newark Broad Street.
*For more details, see the Stations and Connections appendix.
Fares
Newark Light Rail offers a range of fare options to suit different travel needs. These include standard tickets and monthly passes for frequent travellers. Once purchased, it’s important to keep your ticket handy as it will be checked by undercover officers. That’s why you won’t find any turnstiles at the stations.
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at the stations or from authorised outlets around the city.
Prices
One-Way: Ideal for infrequent travellers, this ticket allows a single trip to any station for $1.60.
10-Ride Ticket: This non-expiring ticket allows up to 10 rides, making it perfect for users who want a ready-made ticket but may not use the service regularly.
Monthly Pass: Designed for frequent travellers, this pass offers unlimited travel for a whole month. It can be purchased between the 19th of the current month and the 10th of the following month for $59.00.
Special discounts are available for people over 62, people with disabilities, war veterans and children between the ages of 5 and 11, who can purchase a discounted one-way ticket for $0.75.
If your travel is limited to the underground stations of the Newark Light Rail Service, the $0.75 Underground Station Fare ticket is an economical choice.
Schedule
The Newark Light Rail operates approximately 20 hours daily, with service beginning at 4:30 a.m. and ending at 1:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends and holidays, service is slightly reduced, beginning at 5:30 am and ending at 11:30 pm.
Train frequency varies between three and 10 minutes depending on the time of day. During regular hours, trains arrive at stations every 7 to 10 minutes. However, at peak times (usually office opening and closing times) the waiting time is reduced to three to five minutes.
Additional Newark Light Rail Map
Rules
Newark Light Rail has established rules to ensure passenger safety, comfort and the smooth running of the service. These include
- Dispose of litter responsibly and not on the tracks.
- Use caution when picking up items that have fallen on the tracks.
- Children under the age of five travel free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Hold hands with young children or anyone else in your care to prevent accidents.
- Do not board trains until they have come to a complete stop.
- Wait behind the yellow line until the train has stopped and the doors have opened.
- Smoking is prohibited on Newark Light Rail trains.
- The use or transportation of narcotics, hallucinogens or other illegal substances is prohibited.
- Passengers may not be under the influence of alcohol or hallucinogenic substances.
- No running in stations or on trains.
- Be aware of the difference in height between the train and the platform to avoid falls.
- Pushchairs must be folded before boarding the train.
- Do not leave luggage, bags or rucksacks unattended.
- If you notice unattended luggage, report it immediately to the authorities.
- The carriage of flammable objects, fireworks or other dangerous materials is prohibited.
- No eating on trains.
Connection to the Airport
Travelling to Newark Liberty International Airport by Newark Light Rail is easy and direct. You can get to Pennsylvania Station, which serves both light rail lines, as well as other transportation services. From there, you will need to purchase a ticket for the North Jersey Coast Line suburban train to the airport. The journey usually takes between six and ten minutes as there are no stops between Pennsylvania Station and the airport.
Once at the airport, you can take the AirTrain Newark, which connects the various terminals. This monorail-like service is available from the same station where the North Jersey Coast Line drops you off.
If you’re travelling from the airport to downtown Newark, the process is similar. Each terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport has an AirTrain Newark stop that will take you to the nearest S-Bahn station. From there you can take the North Jersey Coast Line train to downtown Newark.
Other alternatives include buses, taxis or car rental services, which are particularly convenient for those with large items of luggage.
Fun Facts
- Wi-Fi service is available at stations for an additional charge after purchasing your ticket.
You can take your bicycle on the tram at weekends and on public holidays. On weekdays, bikes are only allowed between 9.30am and 4.00pm. - There are no turnstiles or barriers at stations, but undercover security officers ensure that tickets are validated as you enter and exit.
- Some stations have secure car parks.
- Most of the tracks used by the Newark Light Rail date back to 1935 and were originally used by tramways that ceased operation after the 1950s.
Tourist Attractions
Near Washington Park Station on the Broad Street Extension line is the Newark Museum, the largest museum in New Jersey. It features an impressive array of American art, contemporary art, art deco and exhibits from Asia, Africa, pre-Hispanic America and the Old World, including pieces from classical Greece and Mesopotamia.
A few blocks from the NJPAC/Center Street station on the Broad Street Extension line, you can visit the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, one of the largest performing arts centres in the United States. Opened in 1997, it has become a cultural landmark for the city and is home to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Annex: Stations and Connections
Newark City Subway Stations:
- Grove Street: Located on Bloomfield Avenue in the Bloomfield neighbourhood, this station was built in 2002 and has a 160-space car park.
- Silver Lake: Located on Heckel Street in the Belleville neighbourhood, this station was built in 2002 on the former site of a New York and Greenwood Lake Railway stop.
- Branch Brook Park: Located on North 5th Street in Newark, this station was renovated in 2001 and was previously used by a defunct streetcar line.
- Davenport Avenue: Located at the intersection of Davenport Avenue and North 5th Street in Newark, this station was renovated in 2001 and provides access to Branch Brook Park.
- Bloomfield Avenue: Located on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, this station was built in 1935 for a streetcar line.
- Park Avenue: Located between Park Avenue and North Fourth Street in Newark, this station was built in 1935 for a streetcar line.
- Orange Street: Located south of Orange Street between Duryea and First Streets in Newark, this station was built in 1935 for the city’s streetcar line.
- Norfolk Street: Located on Norfolk Street, just south of Central Avenue in Newark, this station was built in 1935 to serve the city’s streetcar system.
- Warren Street/NJIT: Located at the intersection of Lock Street and Warren Street in Newark, this station has been in operation since 1935, originally serving the city’s streetcar service.
- Washington Street: Located at the intersection of Raymond Boulevard and Washington Street in Newark, this station opened in 1935 and served various streetcar lines of the era.
- Military Park: Located near Park Place on Broad Street in downtown Newark, this station has been in operation since 1935 and originally served the city’s streetcar lines.
- Pennsylvania Station: Located at Raymond Plaza, between Market Street and Raymond Boulevard in Newark, this station was established in 1935 and originally served the city’s streetcar lines.
Broad Street Extension Stations
- Pennsylvania Station: Located at Raymond Plaza between Market Street and Raymond Boulevard in Newark, this station has been in operation since 1935 and originally served numerous trolley lines.
- NJPAC/Centre Street: Located at the intersection of McCarter Highway and Center Street in downtown Newark, this station was opened in 2006 exclusively for light rail service.
- Washington Park: Located south of Broad Street at the intersection of Bridge and Lombardy Streets in Newark, this station opened in 2006 for the exclusive use of the light rail.
- Atlantic Street: Located near Atlantic Street in downtown Newark, this station became operational in 2006 and is used exclusively by the light rail trains.
- Riverfront Stadium: Located within walking distance of Atlantic Street at the intersection of Broad Street in Newark, this station became operational on 17 July 2006.
- Newark Broad Street: Located at the intersection of Lackawanna Avenue and Broad Street in Newark, this station was originally built in 1836 and renovated in 2008 to serve as a light rail stop.
Connections
Designed to meet the city’s high daily transit demand, most Newark Light Rail stations offer connections to other transit services. These include:
Newark City Subway
- Grove Street: Connects with bus routes 11, 28, 29, 72, and 90.
- Silver Lake: Connects with bus routes 27 and 90.
- Branch Brook Park: Connects with bus routes 27, 74, 90, and 92.
- Bloomfield Avenue: Connects with bus routes 11, 28, 29, and 72.
- Park Avenue: Connects with bus route 41.
- Orange Street: Connects with bus routes 71, 73, and 75.
- Norfolk Street: Connects with bus route 99, as well as ONE Bus routes 24 and 44.
- Warren Street/NJIT: Connects with bus routes 71, 73, and 79.
- Washington Street: Connects with bus routes 11, 28, 29, 70, 72, 76, 78, and ONE Bus route 44.
- Military Park: Connects with bus routes 13, 27, 39, 40, 41, 59, 62, 65/66, 67, 70, 72, 73, 76, 78, and 108, as well as ONE Bus routes 24 and 44.
- Pennsylvania Station: Provides connections to a multitude of bus and suburban rail lines, including the Newark City Subway line.
Broad Street Extension
- Pennsylvania Station: Connects with a multitude of bus and suburban rail lines, as well as the Newark City Subway line.
- Washington Park: Connects with bus routes 11, 13, 27, 28, 29, 39, 41, and 59.
- Riverfront Stadium: Connects with bus routes 11, 13, 27, 28, 29, 39, 72, 76, and 78.
- Newark Broad Street: Provides connections to bus routes 11, 13, 27, 28, 29, 39, 41, 72, 76, 78, and 108, as well as suburban rail lines Gladstone Branch, Montclair-Boonton Line, and Morristown Line.