NJ Transit Pivoted to Westwood Garage Site
The board approved purchasing the Westwood facility after halting plans for the larger Northern Bus Garage project.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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NJ Transit officials have moved to purchase a former Coach USA garage in Westwood, New Jersey, following a shift in strategy. The decision to acquire the site comes after the agency halted progress on the massive Northern Bus Garage project.
Why it matters
The change in direction follows a federal shift that de-emphasized electric bus infrastructure in favor of clean diesel, hybrids, and compressed natural gas. The move also provides a safer location for operations, as the agency’s original Oradell facility is prone to flooding.
The Westwood site spans 4.73 acres with a 200-bus capacity, contrasting with the proposed 500-bus Northern Bus Garage. Meanwhile, $324 million in federal electrification grants remain frozen as of March 2026.
The players
NJ Transit
This is the statewide public transportation agency that operates bus, light rail, and commuter rail services throughout New Jersey.
Coach USA
This is a private transportation company that filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024.
The details
NJ Transit will utilize the Westwood garage, which has been shuttered since 2020, to replace services currently managed at the flood-prone Oradell facility. The purchase follows legal settlement negotiations with Coach USA, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024.
Timeline
Coach USA closed the Westwood facility in 2020.
An executive order froze funds for electric vehicle infrastructure on January 21, 2025.
Federal electrification grants were frozen in March 2026.
The NJ Transit board approved negotiations for the Westwood garage on September 16, 2026.
Roadmap
This pivot reflects a broader retreat from full bus fleet electrification as federal priorities shift toward natural gas and clean diesel alternatives. The decision positions NJ Transit to secure operational capacity while navigating the loss of hundreds of millions in federal grants.
Commuters may see changes to local bus operations as NJ Transit integrates the Westwood facility to replace the flood-prone Oradell site. The transition highlights the ongoing uncertainty regarding future electric infrastructure upgrades for regional public transit.
The takeaway
The agency’s strategic shift underscores how federal funding priorities can immediately dictate the infrastructure capabilities of local transit systems. Residents should monitor future budget disclosures to see how the agency plans to manage its fleet without the previously anticipated electrification support.
Further reading
Learn more about local transit developments at Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
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