NJ Transit settles back-payments with Amtrak

New Jersey Transit says it has paid $182 million to Amtrak to make good on missed payments for use of the Northeast Corridor line.

NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced the settlement Wednesday at New York's Penn Station alongside Amtrak CEO Tony Coscia.

The repayments stemmed from former Republican Gov. Chris Christie's decision to halt payments from March 2017 after several derailments led to headaches for commuters.

The payments resumed in June 2018.

NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said the back-payments included $44.5 million in operating costs and $137.5 million in capital contributions.

Corbett said the railroad will pay $7 million monthly for use of the corridor going forward under a federal law calling for rail investment.