Coronavirus Service Cuts - March 24, 2019 Update

Here are some updates on service cutbacks due to the Coronavirus.  This information is subject to change on a daily or even hourly basis, so please check with your carrier if you need to travel.  Stay safe everyone!

NJ Transit is still operating a regular weekday bus schedule but there are reports they will be cutting bus service soon.

DeCamp will suspend all of its bus service effective Wednesday March 25.  Check their website and twitter feed for more information.

TransBridge has already suspended all operations.  Details on their website.

CoachUSA - for more updates on Rockland Coaches, ONEbus, ShortLine, Suburban Transit, and Community Coach, please check the CoachUSA service update website here.

Lakeland bus has cancelled Route 78 service and all weekend service.  Details here.

Some Carriers Temporarily Reducing Service Due To Coronavirus

With social distancing the new normal and many people working remotely, ridership on New Jersey's bus routes has dropped dramatically.  There are reports that NJ Transit ridership has decreased by 40% and the agency may implement a reduced schedule once ridership drops 50%.

Some private carriers have already temporarily curtailed service.  Riders should check with their carriers for information.  We have some updates here:

Academy has implemented reduced "Schedule B" service on several of its routes.  These schedules can be found here.

Community Coach has greatly reduced service on its 77 line with just 3 nyc-bound trips and 4 trips now operating out of New York.  Schedule found here.

Rockland Coaches is now operating on a Saturday Schedule, with some additional express service available.  Details here.

Suburban Transit is also operating with an adjusted weekday schedule, more info available here.

Short Line has also cut back service, more info available here.

Decamp is also cutting service.  Details available on its Twitter feed and website.

Lakeland says they will be making service adjustments and has cut a few runs.  More info here.

If you are now working remotely, and have an unused monthly ticket, you may be able to get a refund from your carrier.

Stay safe everyone!

Saddle River Tours 11C and 20/84 Official Service Termination Notice effective January 25, 2020

The Port Authority has officially given notice that the last day of service on Saddle River Tours'  Routes 11C and 20/84 into and out of the George Washington Bridge Bus Station will be Friday January 24th.  Service on these lines has been sporadic at best over the last couple of years with numerous cancellations and entire days without service.  The Port Authority is advising riders to use Rockland Coaches 11A and 20T lines as alternatives.  Rockland Coaches has likewise been plagued with delays and cancellations so we are advocating for NJT to take over these routes, or incorporate them into their existing network.  We are reaching out to local government officials and NJ Transit and encourage all riders to do the same.  

Unfortunately, the 11A and 20T do not go to the George Washington Bridge so riders will have to transfer in Englewood or at Route 4 to a NJT bus or Jitney to go over the bridge, or to use the New York City MTA to reach their destination.   Other alternate routes for northern riders include the NJT 165 and Rockland Coaches 14, 46 and 47 to midtown as well as the Pascack Valley rail line.  For riders of the southern portions, alternates include the NJT 186 and 178 to the GWB, the NJT 167 to midtown.

Here is the Official Notice from the Port Authority:

The Port Authority of NY and NJ has decided to terminate the operating agreement with Saddle River Tours to operate at the Port Authority's George Washington Bridge Bus Station (GWBBS) starting on January 25, 2020. Saddle River Tours has an ongoing pattern of prolonged financial delinquencies, non-responsive communication, and recent abandonment of service to commuters.

Saddle River Tours’ Route 11C has 8-weekday arrivals, 7-weekday departures, and limited weekend service; the route begins in Spring Valley, New York and makes several stops in Rockland County, New York and Bergen County, New Jersey. Route 20/84 has 3-weekday arrivals and departures and no weekend service; it begins in Tappan, New York and makes several stops in Bergen County, New Jersey. These two routes combined serve approximately 200 customers each weekday.

Customers affected by the Saddle River Tours termination have the option to take the Rockland Coach bus service, offering service similar to that of Saddle River, with the exception of an end destination of the Midtown Manhattan Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) rather than the GWBBS.

-Route 11C passengers may take Rockland Coach bus 11A into the Port Authority Bus Terminal (8th Ave & 42)

-Route 20/84 passengers may take Rockland Coach bus 20T into the Port Authority Bus Terminal (8th Ave & 42)

The Port Authority has been in contact with Rockland Coach and has been assured that the Rockland Coach routes have capacity to service Saddle River Tours commuters. For additional information regarding alternative services, please contact Rockland Coach at (201) 263-1254 or visit the website, https://www.coachusa.com/contact.

Saddle River Tours 11C, 20/84 and 55 UPDATE

We have received reports that Saddle River Tours is back operating these routes at least for the time being, and likely on an interim basis.  If you plan on taking any of these buses, we suggest calling the carrier to confirm they are in operation, and suggest you have a back-up plan just in case.  We hope resolution is worked out quickly.  

Thanks to everyone who has written and commented to the NJBUS Blog with updates and information and we will try to keep you posted.  Feel free to continue to contact us at njbus86@yahoo.com with any comments, questions, updates, or questions about alternate service.  

Saddle River Tours Routes 11C, 20/84 and 55

All - Saddle River Tours terminated operation of its routes 11C and 20/84 to the GWB Bus Station and Route 55 to midtown earlier this week.  The termination was without notice.  As far as we know, there are contingency plans being worked on to run these lines in some capacity in the near future.  We will post any information as soon as we get it.  Feel free to e-mail me as well if anyone has information at njbus86@yahoo.com.

Bergen County Local Bus Route Contract Goes Back To Community Coach

Community Coach has recently taken back the local Bergen County Bus route contract from Saddle River Tours.  The Coach USA company reacquired the routes on April 2, 2019.  The 7 year contract was awarded to Saddle River about a year ago, but the company has reportedly had its share of problems with staffing enough drivers, late and cancelled buses, and accidents.  Although unconfirmed at the moment, we presume these issues had something to do with NJ Transit giving the contract back to Community Coach.  The contracted routes are the 751,752, 753, 755, 756, 762, 772 and 780 lines.

Massive Delays Anticipated At Lincoln Tunnel Due To Route 495 Viaduct Reconstruction

Massive delays are in the forecast for commuters using the Lincoln Tunnel due to reconstruction of the Route 495 viaduct that will eliminate one lane in each direction.  The project is expected to last for the next two years.  The exclusive bus lane ("XBL") will still be in operation during the morning rush hour for New York City bus traffic.  However, massive delays are still anticipated because there will be one less outbound lane for bus traffic leaving the Port Authority and returning back to New Jersey.  Of course, there have been no contingency plans announced for alternate routes, or any cross honoring NJT tickets on NY Waterway Ferries or trains.  Besides over crowded NJT trains, and ferries, some alternate bus service is available for Northern NJ bus passengers via the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.  More details about the construction are available here.