New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit), Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (Virginia Breeze) have each modernized their bus services to better meet the needs of their communities.

NJ Transit

NJ Transit implemented a temporary weekly schedule for the River LINE on August 12, adding additional bus service at six high-traffic stops to provide riders with additional travel options during weekday morning and afternoon peak hours (6:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.).

NJ Transit notes that the interim schedule will help provide customers with a more consistent, predictable and reliable schedule while allowing time for the delivery of custom replacement auxiliary power units (APUs) for the light rail vehicles. The River LINE light rail vehicles were custom-built over 20 years ago to share tracks with Conrail’s freight trains. The agency says the delivery of the needed custom replacement APUs has been delayed longer than expected due to manufacturing and supply chain issues.

“Recent performance on the River LINE was unacceptable and we apologize to our customers for their experience,” said Kevin S. Corbett, NJ Transit President and CEO. “This interim action is part of a broader long-term commitment and action plan that continues to commit our contract operator to making the necessary vehicle improvements and restoring the reliable and predictable service our customers expect and deserve.”

The River LINE will continue to operate every 30 minutes from all stops throughout the operating day, with Academy Bus Company buses providing supplemental service during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

SVT

The Valley Shuttle, SVT’s scheduled bus service, will begin operating expanded services on Saturdays and Sundays beginning August 17. This was made possible through SVT’s partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King County Metro and the Snoqualmie Tribe.

“Weekend service has been a need in our community basically since I started here in 2012,” said Amy Biggs, director of SVT, a program at Mt. Si Senior Center. “People have jobs on the weekend that they need to drive to, or they ride our little SVT buses to work during the week, but need service on the weekend for grocery shopping and all their errands. Transportation is a basic need for everyone, not just on weekdays.”

Biggs worked with King County Metro and WSDOT to coordinate funding for the new service.

“King County Metro is responsible for funding this particular portion of the new weekend service and we are very grateful that they are responding to this need. Our next project will be to start our door-to-door services on the weekends. We are still hiring drivers for this service and are accepting applications. It will be great to have the entire SVT system up and running on the weekends and this is a great start,” said Biggs.

SVT now operates 17 vehicles and was founded in 2003 with the loan of a single King County Metro bus from the Community Access Transportation (CAT) program.

The weekend Valley Shuttle service will operate from 6 a.m. to 9:15 p.m., with buses departing approximately every 90 minutes. Biggs noted that this is different from weekday service, where King County Metro increased service frequency in March 2023 so buses arrive approximately every hour.

Virginia Breeze

Virginia Breeze Bus Lines has relocated its Blacksburg stop to the Multimodal Transit Facility (MMTF) on the Virginia Tech campus. The move is part of the agency’s efforts to relocate Virginia Breeze passenger boarding locations, including future stop relocations in Wytheville and Staunton. The agency is working to provide a more efficient travel experience for passengers throughout the system.

The new location at MMTF offers several enhanced amenities that will greatly benefit passengers, such as improved lighting in waiting areas and accessibility features that provide travelers with a safer and more comfortable waiting area. Additionally, MMTF’s strategic location on the Virginia Tech campus allows for easier access for local transportation providers, ensuring a seamless connection for passengers traveling to and from the university.

“We are very excited to relocate our Blacksburg stop to the Multimodal Transit Facility,” said Zach Trogdon, Virginia Breeze Deputy Director. “This move is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing our riders with a first-class transit experience. We are confident that the improved amenities and convenient location will significantly improve the overall trip for our valued customers.”