NJ Transit Train Derails in Montclair, Leaving 17 Injured; Investigation Underway

A minor derailment involving two NJ Transit trains in Montclair, New Jersey, has left 17 people with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on Friday, December 19, just after 6:45 pm when the trains made contact west of Bay St. on the Montclair-Boonton Line. According to NJ Transit, service along the line was halted for hours as the agency worked to resolve the situation. CEO Kolluri and senior staff were on the scene, working with the New Jersey Transit Police Department to investigate the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also expected to arrive on the scene to conduct its own investigation. NJ Transit has assured the public that the safety of passengers, employees, and first responders remains the top priority. The agency has also announced that rail service on the Montclair-Boonton Line is suspended in both directions due to police activity near Bay Street. However, NJ Transit bus services are being cross-honored to minimize disruptions. This incident highlights the importance of NJ Transit's mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation to the people of New Jersey and the surrounding region. As the nation's third-largest provider of bus, rail, and light rail transit, NJ Transit operates an extensive network of services, including 253 bus routes and 12 rail lines, covering a service area of 5,325 square miles.