How NJ Transit intends to solve the problem of train windows that riders can’t see through hasn’t gotten any clearer over the past two years.
The problem that’s lingered since being identified in fall 2022 is not one that can be simply solved by using window cleaner, a squeegee and some elbow grease, since crews already tried hand washing the cloudy windows without success. The issue has affected both generations of NJ Transit’s multilevel cars.
Agency officials haven’t decided whether to spend $8 million to replace the windows on hundreds of rail cars or use an experimental cleaning solution suggested by Rutgers engineering school.
The non-transparent appearance that looks like a very dirty window, is blamed on the effects of years of exposure to elements, acid rain, heat, and ultraviolet rays, officials said. Overtime, it’s left the windows clouded and hard to see through.
Meanwhile, riders continue to vent their frustration on social media with not being able to see which station the train is at, especially if no announcement is made.
A rider on NJ Transits Main Line posted this photo of a cloudy train window on X on Monday.SL
“People need to see where they are and to read signage outside,” said Joe Versaggi, New Jersey Association of railroad passenger president. “We don’t all have our faces impaled in our Smartphones.”
In 2022 officials said the only solution was to replace the windows on 429 rail cars for $8 million. Then they announced Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation was working with them on a solution. Now Rutgers may have an answer that they’ve demonstrated
“While we continue exploring the feasibility of the Rutgers proposed solution in terms of how effectively the process can clear the damaged windows, as well as the scalability and cost of applying the solution to all affected rail cars, we are also exploring the option to replace the windows entirely,” said Jim Smith, a NJ Transit spokesperson.
“We’re working as quickly as we can to determine which method is not only most cost-effective, but which method will yield the best overall result for our customers’ travel experience,’ he said.
One of the issues is train windows aren’t like the glass in your home.
Those rail car windows have to meet federal standards for holding up when hit by a projectile and in case of a derailment. They also must be flexible enough so that passengers and rescuers can remove them to access the train in case of a derailment or a crash, according to Federal Railroad Administration standards.
The two most common rail car window materials are tempered glass and a polycarbonate plastic. Metro-North Railroad and NJ Transit use a single pane of polycarbonate glazing almost a half inch thick, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.
NJ Transit isn’t alone in this problem.
“The south side of the (Long Island Rail Road) M-7 fleet of 830 cars is also opaque,” Versaggi said.
Stories by Larry Higgs
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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry