NJ Transit Bus Changes

NJ TRANSIT is "optimizing" their bus operations for sustained, long-term growth, while also reinvesting critical resources to expand and enhance bus service within key transportation corridors.

As a result of extensive study and analysis, NJ TRANSIT's Bus Service Optimization initiative forecasts more than $3 million in annual operation savings. These savings will be reflected in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2013 budget and will be utilized to help keep fares stable for the nearly 250 million customers who utilize NJ TRANSIT services on an annual basis.

Of this savings, NJ TRANSIT will be immediately reinvesting more than $1.02 million to expand and enhance bus service within the City of Newark, in addition to key corridors between Newark, Newark Airport and Elizabeth.

This reinvestment of savings will be reflected in:

- The restructuring of Route No. 62 (Newark-Woodbridge-Perth Amboy) into two separate routes, allowing for the creation of 24/7 service between the heavily-travelled Newark-Newark Airport and Elizabeth Corridor. Optimization reinvestment will increase bus service reliability, balance resources and help spur job access at the airport.

- The extension of Route No. 99 (Newark-Hillside Cross-town) to the Branch Brook Park Newark Light Rail Station. Reinvestment will provide Newark residents and employees with connections to more than a dozen routes and access to the light rail system. It will also improve service to major medical facilities, schools and universities.

Below are the bus routes that will be adjusted in our area. These routes are either largely underutilized, or directly compete with NJ TRANSIT rail or light rail services.

- No. 42 (Newark-18th Avenue): Discontinue service
- No. 43 (Newark-Jersey City): Discontinue service
- No. 56 (Elizabeth/Cranford/Winfield): Widen peak hour headway from 25/40 minutes to 60 minutes
- No. 57 (Elizabeth/Linden): Eliminate first/last round trips on weekdays
- No. 75 (Butler-Newark): Discontinue service
- No. 78 (Newark-Secaucus): Discontinue service
- No. 93 (Bloomfield-Newark Light Rail): Discontinue service
- No. 258 (Go 28) (Bloomfield/Newark Airport): Eliminate University Heights Branch, adjust headway to 30 minutes all day

NJ TRANSIT invites members of the public to offer their feedback on the Bus Service Optimization initiative. Interested parties are invited to contact the Customer Service hotline at (973) 275-5555, or attend one of the following two public hearings to offer their feedback in person:

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Public Information Session)
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
NJ TRANSIT Headquarters, One Penn Plaza East, Newark

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Wayne Municipal Complex, 475 Valley Road, Wayne