Increased Ranks of Locomotive Engineers is Critical for Improved Reliability and Service for Rail Customers

Total Active Roster of Engineers is Now 398

KEARNY – Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, and NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett today recognized NJ TRANSIT’s latest Locomotive Engineer training class for finalizing their formal classroom training and passing the Northeast Operating Rules of Advisory Committee (NORAC) and physical characteristics exams. The addition of this new class upon graduation means NJ TRANSIT has succeeded in adding 113 new locomotive engineers to its roster since Governor Murphy took office in 2018.

“I would like to congratulate those on their way to becoming the newest NJ TRANSIT engineers," said Governor Murphy. “Since the beginning of our administration, we have made it clear that the days of underinvesting in NJ TRANSIT and hollowing engineer ranks are over. As our state is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and mass transit demand increases, new and returning commuters will get to experience a more reliable and improved NJ TRANSIT.”

“Our goal is to build a stronger New Jersey and that kind of growth is only possible if we continue to invest in a mass transit system which can transport our State’s many residents and visitors to their destinations safely and efficiently. The addition of this class of locomotive engineers helps us build a better, more dependable and robust NJ TRANSIT,” said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Restoring the ranks of locomotive engineers means we can offer the type of service we strive to provide NJ TRANSIT customers; improve customer service and increase reliability.”

“We may have already achieved a full roster of locomotive engineers, but that doesn’t mean we’re slowing down,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “We must also maintain a full roster by keeping pace with normal retirements and attrition, which is why we’re pleased to be welcoming this new class into our ranks, and why we’re committed to regular classes moving forward.”

“I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to New Jersey Transit’s latest graduating class of engineers,” said Senator Patrick Diegnan, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Our train engineers work hard each day to ensure that millions of New Jerseyans are making it safely to and from work. The hard work and dedication of these graduates got them to this point and I am excited for their next chapter as engineers. Congratulations to all the graduates and I wish them all the brightest futures.”

“As we celebrate this new cohort of NJTRANSIT locomotive engineers, I want extend my heartfelt congratulations for their hard work and dedication,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Emerging from the pandemic, more and more New Jerseyans will be returning to their daily commutes and residents will need to be able to count on NJTRANSIT. The responsibility these engineers take on will be critical to that, and to the ongoing efforts toward enhancement of our state’s public transportation system. Well done to NJ TRANSIT leadership for continuing to move the needle in the right direction.”

“A fuller roster of locomotive engineers can ensure our NJTRANSIT riders return to a more dependable and equitable public transit system,” said Assemblyman Daniel Benson, chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. “Helping our trains run on schedule and keeping all our riders safe is central to the role of this graduating class and those still to follow. Each engineer is and will remain integral as we look to the future of transportation in New Jersey. Well done and congratulations.”

The class of 10 engineer trainees will complete their field training and begin their final check rides later this month. The trainees completed a rigorous 78-week long program and passed extensive testing, including a final exam of more than 800 questions.

The class will bring the total number of new engineers that have joined NJ TRANSIT since 2018 to 113 and brings the total active roster of engineers to 398. Since 2018, when Governor Murphy took office, NJ TRANSIT has graduated ten classes of locomotive engineers – more classes than have graduated in the previous five years combined. Under the Murphy Administration’s leadership, NJ TRANSIT achieved a full locomotive engineer roster in April 2021.

The next locomotive engineer training class is set to graduate in November 2021.