Newark public transport includes the Newark Light Rail, formerly known as the Newark City Subway, as well as regional trains, PATH, Amtrak and buses.
The light rail links Newark Penn Station with Newark Broad Street Station and runs through the city’s Central and North Wards, making it useful for connecting between rail services and parts of Newark. This guide covers local transit for guests at a homesuite in Newark.
- Light rail routes: Grove Street–Newark Penn Station and Broad Street Station–Newark Penn Station.
- Regional connections: Newark Penn serves three NJ TRANSIT rail lines, while Broad Street serves two.
- Light-rail base fare: $1.90; check NJ TRANSIT for current fares and service details.
- Light-rail tickets: available in the NJ TRANSIT app and at platform ticket vending machines.
What do people mean by the Newark subway?
The Newark subway is the former name of the Newark Light Rail, not a separate subway system. NJ TRANSIT calls it the Newark Light Rail; the route links Penn Station and Broad Street Station and continues through Newark’s Central and North Wards.
That name can help when you see older references to the Newark City Subway, but use Newark Light Rail when checking current maps and service. If you’re planning a wider day around the city, the light rail can fit into a route between downtown stops and the area around the Newark Museum.
For a day built around downtown, the Newark one-day itinerary from downtown to the museum offers a complementary route-planning perspective.
How do you read the Newark light rail network?
The Newark Light Rail map shows two routes, and both connect with Newark Penn Station. One runs between Grove Street and Newark Penn Station; the other links Broad Street Station and Newark Penn Station.
The Grove Street route serves Bloomfield, East Orange and Newark. The Broad Street route connects Broad Street Station directly with Newark Penn, so it can be useful when changing between those stations. NJ TRANSIT’s map also marks bus connections at Newark Penn, Broad Street, Military Park, Washington Street, Warren Street/NJIT and Branch Brook Park.
Before setting out, trace your full journey on the system map: note which light-rail route serves your stop, then check where you’ll connect to a train or bus. NJ TRANSIT provides separate Newark bus maps for Penn Station and Broad Street Station, and dozens of its bus lines serve Newark.
How do you connect to regional trains at Newark Penn Station?
Newark Penn Station is the city’s broadest rail interchange, with NJ TRANSIT regional trains, Newark Light Rail, Amtrak and PATH all serving the station.
NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Raritan Valley lines stop at Newark Penn. If you are switching between those services and the light rail, check the station and route details for your full trip before boarding. The station also connects with bus services; NJ TRANSIT provides a separate bus map for the Penn Station area.
For a closer comparison of the city’s two main rail stations, the guide to Newark Penn Station and Broad Street explains which one fits different trips.
When should you use Newark Broad Street Station?
Broad Street Station is served by NJ TRANSIT’s Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines, with Newark Light Rail connecting it to Newark Penn Station.
This makes Broad Street a useful station to consider when your train is on one of those lines or when you need the light-rail connection between the two stations.
The Newark Light Rail map marks bus connections at Broad Street as well. If your trip involves a transfer, check the relevant rail and bus maps together rather than treating the stations as interchangeable.
What should you check about Newark transit fares and access?
Light-rail fares, transfer rules and station access details can affect how you plan a Newark journey, so check NJ TRANSIT’s official site before you go.
The Newark Light Rail base fare is $1.90, with a fare of $0.85 for seniors, children and people with disabilities. You can buy light-rail tickets in the NJ TRANSIT app or from platform ticket vending machines. Validate paper tickets before riding; monthly passes do not need validation.
For a light-rail-to-bus transfer, the ticket’s number of zones must match the total zones traveled. Transfer tickets are available in the app and from light-rail ticket vending machines.
A separate $0.85 fare applies to travel between the underground stations Warren Street, Washington Street, Military Park and Newark Penn. That fare is available only from ticket vending machines and is not accepted for outbound trips Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Most light-rail stations are described as accessible, with level boarding and elevator or ramp access to platforms at accessible stations. The system map marks accessible stations. Light-rail vehicles have accessible priority areas, audible stop announcements, visual onboard signage and detectable warnings at platform edges.
For journeys involving Newark Liberty, EWR airport transportation into Newark covers the trip between the airport and the city.
FAQs
Is the Newark subway the same as Newark Light Rail?
Yes. Newark Light Rail was formerly called the Newark City Subway. It connects Newark Penn Station and Broad Street Station and serves areas of Newark’s Central and North Wards.
Does Newark Light Rail connect Newark Penn and Broad Street?
Yes. The Broad Street Station–Newark Penn Station route links the two stations.
Can you use a paper ticket on Newark Light Rail?
Yes. Paper tickets need to be validated before you ride. Monthly passes do not require validation.
Are Newark Light Rail stations accessible?
Most stations are described as accessible. Check the system map for accessible stations and station-specific access information.