Hudson is the sixth-most densely populated county in the United States and has one of America’s highest percentages of public transportation use. During the 1980s and early 1990s, city planners and government officials acknowledged a need for alternative transit systems to relieve increasing congestion along the Hudson Waterfront. Upon extensive studies, it was decided that a light rail would be the most efficient, cost-effective system to meet the growing demands of the area.

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey. Owned by NJ TRANSIT and operated by 21st Century Rail Corp., the light rail connects the municipalities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen. The system began operating its initial segment in April 2000, expanding – in phases – throughout the following decade.

The line generally runs parallel to the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay, while its northern end and western branch travel through the lower Hudson Palisades. The HBLR has 24 stations along more than 34 miles of track and is relied upon for over 50,000 passenger trips on a normal weekday.