Blab Tech
NJ Transit Expands Real-Time Tracking and Launches Free Onboard Wi-Fi on 1,500 Buses
Newark, N.J. – On September 9, 2026, New Jersey Transit (NJT) announced a statewide rollout of upgraded computer equipment and antennas on its bus fleet, a move that will improve real‑time location data and enable free Wi‑Fi for riders. The initiative is part of Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Rapid Action Plan and is expected to cover nearly 2,000 buses by year‑end, up from the 1,500 buses that received the new hardware today.
The upgraded hardware, installed on more than 1,300 existing buses and on all new buses entering service, provides higher‑precision GPS data. According to NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri, the accuracy of the agency’s arrival predictions has risen from 74 percent to 86 percent. The improved data feeds into the NJ Transit mobile app, website, station signage, and third‑party transit apps, giving riders clearer information about when a bus will arrive.
In addition to the tracking upgrade, the buses now offer complimentary Wi‑Fi. The service, funded by a $15 million federal grant from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, is available on all buses equipped with the new hardware. Riders can connect by selecting the NJTRANSITWIFI network and accepting the on‑screen prompt, which directs them to a landing page with links to state employment, education, and health services.
The Wi‑Fi rollout is part of a broader effort to address broadband inequity. NJ Transit’s statement notes that the service is intended to provide internet access in a setting that may be the only convenient location for many riders.
NJ Transit’s partnership with Swiftly, a transit‑technology company, underpins the arrival‑prediction improvements. Beginning in October, the enhanced predictions will be visible across all NJ Transit platforms. The agency plans to continue refining the system through further hardware upgrades and data‑driven adjustments.
Parallel to the fleet upgrades, NJ Transit is testing digital bus‑stop signs that display real‑time arrival information. The pilot, conducted by BusPas and Urban Solar, has installed eight signs in Hudson County and Monmouth County. The BusPas signs use solar power and e‑paper displays, are ADA‑compliant, and include text‑to‑speech and safety lighting. Urban Solar signs are located at Route‑9 North in Manalapan and Howell townships.
The bus‑fleet modernization effort, which aims for a fully modernized fleet by 2031, is supported by Governor Sherrill’s Rapid Action Plan. The plan emphasizes accessibility, safety, cleanliness, and technology across NJ Transit services. According to NJDOT Commissioner and NJ Transit Chair Priya Jain, the upgrades reflect the urgency fostered by the plan and deliver lasting improvements for customers.
The expansion of real‑time tracking and Wi‑Fi is expected to enhance the rider experience, improve operational efficiency, and support equity goals by providing internet access to underserved communities. The agency’s current fleet of 2,373 buses will see more than 80 percent equipped with the new technology by the end of 2026, as older buses are retired and replaced.
At present, 1,500 buses carry the upgraded equipment and free Wi‑Fi. NJ Transit plans to reach 2,000 buses by year‑end, with the remaining 1,900 buses slated for retrofit or replacement. The agency has not yet announced specific timelines for the remaining retrofits, but the rollout aligns with the broader modernization schedule. No regulatory actions or court proceedings are currently associated with the upgrade.
The initiative demonstrates NJ Transit’s commitment to improving service reliability and rider connectivity, while aligning with state and federal investment priorities in public‑transport technology.
The upgraded hardware, installed on more than 1,300 existing buses and on all new buses entering service, provides higher‑precision GPS data. According to NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri, the accuracy of the agency’s arrival predictions has risen from 74 percent to 86 percent. The improved data feeds into the NJ Transit mobile app, website, station signage, and third‑party transit apps, giving riders clearer information about when a bus will arrive.
In addition to the tracking upgrade, the buses now offer complimentary Wi‑Fi. The service, funded by a $15 million federal grant from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, is available on all buses equipped with the new hardware. Riders can connect by selecting the NJTRANSITWIFI network and accepting the on‑screen prompt, which directs them to a landing page with links to state employment, education, and health services.
The Wi‑Fi rollout is part of a broader effort to address broadband inequity. NJ Transit’s statement notes that the service is intended to provide internet access in a setting that may be the only convenient location for many riders.
NJ Transit’s partnership with Swiftly, a transit‑technology company, underpins the arrival‑prediction improvements. Beginning in October, the enhanced predictions will be visible across all NJ Transit platforms. The agency plans to continue refining the system through further hardware upgrades and data‑driven adjustments.
Parallel to the fleet upgrades, NJ Transit is testing digital bus‑stop signs that display real‑time arrival information. The pilot, conducted by BusPas and Urban Solar, has installed eight signs in Hudson County and Monmouth County. The BusPas signs use solar power and e‑paper displays, are ADA‑compliant, and include text‑to‑speech and safety lighting. Urban Solar signs are located at Route‑9 North in Manalapan and Howell townships.
The bus‑fleet modernization effort, which aims for a fully modernized fleet by 2031, is supported by Governor Sherrill’s Rapid Action Plan. The plan emphasizes accessibility, safety, cleanliness, and technology across NJ Transit services. According to NJDOT Commissioner and NJ Transit Chair Priya Jain, the upgrades reflect the urgency fostered by the plan and deliver lasting improvements for customers.
The expansion of real‑time tracking and Wi‑Fi is expected to enhance the rider experience, improve operational efficiency, and support equity goals by providing internet access to underserved communities. The agency’s current fleet of 2,373 buses will see more than 80 percent equipped with the new technology by the end of 2026, as older buses are retired and replaced.
At present, 1,500 buses carry the upgraded equipment and free Wi‑Fi. NJ Transit plans to reach 2,000 buses by year‑end, with the remaining 1,900 buses slated for retrofit or replacement. The agency has not yet announced specific timelines for the remaining retrofits, but the rollout aligns with the broader modernization schedule. No regulatory actions or court proceedings are currently associated with the upgrade.
The initiative demonstrates NJ Transit’s commitment to improving service reliability and rider connectivity, while aligning with state and federal investment priorities in public‑transport technology.
