NJ Transit To Replace Threatened Jersey City Bus Closures, Makes ‘Huge Difference’ To Locals’ Lives

Illustration by team illustrator Sakura Siegel.

Jersey City’s commuters got a win.

Earlier this month, locals were fighting a potential closure of four bus routes that run through the Journal Square, West Side and Greenville sections of Jersey City, catering to about 200,000 people per month. But thanks to public pushback, on Sept. 29, NJ Transit announced an “emergency stabilization” plan to pick up the endangered routes. 

“NJ TRANSIT understands how important this bus service is to all those who depend on it, particularly for those who rely on it as their sole source of mobility,” NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in a statement. 

“We are extremely pleased to be able to deliver a plan that maintains service for all the customers impacted by the disappointing decision made by A&C and Coach USA to discontinue operating these seven bus routes.”

In August, A&C Bus company announced that their services would likely be discontinued on Oct. 31 due to declining revenue since the 2020 pandemic. The threatened lines were Buses 30, 31, 32 and 33, but now, thanks to NJ Transit’s new plan, these routes will continue as normal, but just under new numbers. 

• No. 8 will replace Bus 33
• No. 9 will replace Bus 31
• No. 14 will replace Bus 32
• The current No. 80 bus will replace Bus 30 with increased service alongside the existing and supplementary No. 80S route

Coach USA was used for Newark bus routes.

A&C Bus Company, a family-ran business established in 1927 and carried on by Mary Beth Callahan, will run its last routes on Oct. 31. 

When Margarita De Los Santos, who spoke with Slice of Culture when the initial news broke, heard the latest update, she said she was “pleased and relieved.”

“It’s a true relief to know that the A&C lines will be picked up by [NJ Transit]. I think it was absolutely the right thing to do. I’m sure a lot of community members, not only from West Side, but also from Journal Square are content about this resolution,” she said.

“I honestly think the community getting together and demanding that something be done pushed NJT to continue with these routes. It was most recently discussed during the Board of Education meeting. Board members asked to vote to support the community in asking NJT to get it done.”

Initially, NJ Transit said they would offer jobs to all A&C employees, but they probably wouldn’t have the resources to replace the four lines. But then in addition to residents’ objections, local representatives like Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey and leaders including Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop all advocated to ensure the continuation of A&C’s bus routes.

Xavier Boone, who was also interviewed in Slice of Culture’s previous article, said he expected “a lot less,” so he’s impressed.

“The plans look pretty good, this may be something they’ve gotten right…,” he said. “Seems like they just changed the numbers… 

“This decision made a huge difference to people’s lives.”

The new services will go into effect on Oct. 28. Here is an overview of the route details. Once schedules are finalized, they can be found at njtransit.com/a-cbus.

New NJ TRANSIT #8 Line replaces A&C #33 Line – Bergen Avenue

Serves Bergen Avenue from Journal Square to JFK Boulevard at Van Nostrand Avenue, Old Bergen Road from JFK Boulevard at McAdoo Avenue to Neptune Avenue, and Garfield Avenue from Neptune Avenue to the Bayonne City Line at 54th Street. Connects to PATH at Journal Square.

• Weekday 5:15 AM – 8:45 PM with service every 15 minutes during the AM and PM peak and in the mid-day.
• Saturday 5:15 AM – 8:42 PM with service every 30 minutes all day.
• Sunday 5:15 AM – 8:41 PM with service every 30 minutes all day.
   

New NJ TRANSIT #9 Line replaces A&C #31 Line – Montgomery Street – West Side Avenue

Connects the Montgomery Street corridor from West Side Avenue to Jersey Avenue, and the West Side Avenue Corridor from Danforth Avenue to Montgomery Street with the Hudson Bergen Light Rail (West Side Avenue Station), and PATH at Grove Street with Newport Mall and downtown Jersey City. Serves Society Hill as well. Provides only crosstown bus connection between Journal Square and Communipaw Avenue.

• Weekday 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM with service every 60 minutes all day.
• Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM with service every 60 minutes all day
• Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:50 PM with service every 60 minutes all day.
   

New NJ TRANSIT #14 Line replaces A&C #32 Line– Duncan – Mallory – NJ 440

Connects Journal Square with Society Hill via Sip Avenue, Duncan Avenue, portions of West Side Avenue, and Mallory Avenue. Provides only service across NJ 440 to Hudson Mall and Stadium Plaza shopping center. Connects with HBLR at West Side Avenue Station and PATH at Journal Square.

• Weekday 7:10 AM – 8:33 PM with service every 40-45 minutes all day.
• Saturday 7:15 AM – 8:28 PM with service every 40 minutes all day.
• Sunday 7:15 AM – 8:27 PM with service every 40 minutes all day.
   

Current NJ TRANSIT #80 Line replaces A&C #30 Line– Greenville – Journal Square – Exchange Place

Increased NJ TRANSIT #80 line service along West Side Avenue from Danforth Avenue to Sip Avenue, and along Sip Avenue from West Side Avenue to Journal Square. Provides connections to HBLR at West Side Avenue Station and PATH at JSQ.

Service beginning and ending at Society Hill will operate as the #80S line.

#80S service span and frequency:

• Weekday 5:39 AM – 9:00 PM with service every 15 – 20 minutes AM and PM peak and every 30 minutes mid-day.
• Saturday 5:42 AM – 8:29 PM with service every 30 – 40 minutes all day.
• Sunday 6:15 AM – 8:19 PM with service every 60 minutes all day.