New Jersey

By: Richard L. Smith

In response to Coach USA’s abrupt decision to cease service on several major routes, NJ TRANSIT will implement an emergency bus service plan in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties beginning August 17.

This swift action will ensure that thousands of commuters continue to have access to uninterrupted transport.

Developed under considerable time pressure, the contingency plan underscores NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to maintaining critical bus service even in the face of unexpected challenges.

“This situation places a significant strain on our resources, but NJ TRANSIT is once again redoubling its efforts to ensure our customers are not left behind when another private provider discontinues service with very short notice,” said Kevin S. Corbett, President and CEO of NJ TRANSIT.

In Bergen and Passaic counties, Academy Bus will take over operation of the affected routes without changing existing schedules, fares or routes.

Academy was originally scheduled to take over the routes in Passaic County on September 1, 2024, but will now begin operations two weeks earlier to avoid disruptions.

In Hudson County, NJ TRANSIT will operate the routes directly using its existing resources while carefully managing the impact on its broader bus network.

Customers on all affected routes – Bergen: 751, 752, 753, 755, 756, 762, 772, 780; Passaic: 702, 705, 707, 709, 722, 744, 746, 748, 758; Hudson: 2, 84, 88 – should not expect any changes to bus stops, schedules or fares. Riders should continue to purchase tickets as usual and monitor the NJ TRANSIT website for updates.

The sudden termination of the contracts by Coach USA, which officially notified NJ TRANSIT of its intention to abandon those contracts on July 10, mirrors previous withdrawals by other private carriers such as DeCamp, A&C and ONE over the past year.

These recurring withdrawals have placed a significant strain on NJ TRANSIT’s resources, but the agency continues to make continuity of service to its customers a top priority.

Current information and timetables can be found at HERE.