Bernardsville named New Jersey’s 37th Transit Village, aiming to boost downtown growth and transit access
BERNARDSVILLE BOROUGH, N.J. (Somerset County) — The Murphy administration on Tuesday announced that Bernardsville has been designated as New Jersey’s 37th Transit Village, joining a growing list of municipalities recognized for promoting smart growth and transit-oriented development.
The designation is part of the state’s Transit Village Initiative, launched in 1999 to connect municipalities with a task force of nine state agencies—including the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT—that assist with implementing mixed-use development and Complete Streets accommodations near transit facilities.
“To receive a Transit Village designation, municipalities must create redevelopment plans that promote economic activity around public transportation,” said NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “Bernardsville has taken steps to promote mixed-use development and businesses in its downtown near the historic train station that promote increased transit use and enhance the quality of life for residents.”
Bernardsville’s Transit Village plan focuses on creating a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant downtown centered around the NJ TRANSIT Gladstone Branch Train Station, which provides service to Newark Penn Station and transfer access to New York Penn Station. Lakeland Bus Lines also offers daily commuter service from the borough to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
In recent years, the borough has adopted a Complete Streets policy and updated zoning ordinances to support mixed-use development, stimulate economic growth in the downtown area, and encourage walkability. With the Transit Village designation, Bernardsville aims to expand transit access, increase ridership, and foster sustainable growth.
Through the initiative, municipalities gain access to planning expertise, grant opportunities, and inter-agency coordination to help revitalize areas near transit hubs. Benefits of the designation include:
- A formal commitment from the State of New Jersey to support the municipality’s redevelopment vision
- Technical assistance from the Transit Village Task Force agencies
- Priority consideration for select funding opportunities
The NJDOT has programmed $1 million in its Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Program for competitive Transit Village funding. In FY2025, the Governor and Legislature provided $1.6 million, allowing eight municipalities to receive grants.
Applications for Transit Village designation are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the task force, which makes recommendations to the NJDOT commissioner for final approval.
Bernardsville joins a roster of other Transit Villages across the state, including Morristown, South Orange, Metuchen, Somerville, Montclair, Long Branch, and High Bridge.
For more information on the Transit Village Initiative, visit www.nj.gov/transportation.
