Photo by Grace Gonzales / SOC Images.
Riding the bus in New Jersey can be an intuitive task. Even though bus lines have a set schedule, they oftentimes these get canceled, delayed or re-routed. For riders, this means waiting times can go from 5 minutes to 30 minutes without previous notice.
Buses are one of the main types of transportation in and out of New York, and are the cheapest option to travel within the county, particularly affecting commuters in Hudson County. Other times, many are left stranded in highway-oriented routes with limited options.
But now, a solution may be underway.

This past fall, NJ Transit launched a new project called NewBus Hudson, which aims to improve Hudson County bus lines, commute routes and travel times for all residents and commuters. This project will assess the performance of 32 bus routes, many of which connect New Jersey and Manhattan. NJ Transit will rely on the public’s input for their second phase starting Spring 2025.
The first phase started last October with preliminary studies and surveys about the “Opportunities & Priorities” for bus service.

According to this research, as shown in its Existing Conditions Report, people need bus routes with fewer stops that take direct routes between cities and towns. Additionally, commuters can benefit from simple service patterns meaning less complicated transfers to reach a destination.


Isvianki Manrique works in Clifton and commutes to and from Manhattan. She inadvertently travels through Hudson County every day: “I was not aware this project was underway,” she told Slice of Culture, as we joined in on her commute.
Manrique prefers to use the jitney service, known as “wawas,” which are privately owned bus routes. These depart from New York’s Port Authority at 42nd Street towards New Jersey, and vice versa.

“Wawas are faster and cheaper. They allow me to get to Manhattan in 30 minutes or less which is helpful because I get to pick up my daughter from school.”


Commuters in Hudson County resonate with this project more so than with the recent news of the New Jersey Turnpike’s expansion. Grassroots environmental groups in the state, like NJ Turnpike Trap, have been protesting this project since July. They claim it will only worsen traffic and affect climate change. Instead, they propose to focus on public transit.
Recent PATH delays, consistently cancelled trains and bus waiting times, have added to the distrust in the Garden State’s public transit system.
And, without a solution, this could worsen in coming years with big events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring millions of fans to every city. New Jersey is one of them.
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NJ Transit was already put to the test when the U.S. hosted the Copa America last summer. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford hosted three matches, including the semifinal. Direct bus routes were not available, leaving the train system as the only option for mass transit. Hundreds of thousands of fans packed the train where some had no air conditioning.

Commuters have long been calling for a walkable New Jersey that prioritizes mass transit.
“It will be nice if I can get to my house in less than an hour,” said Edith Zapata, who lives in Union City and works with Manrique. “I usually have to wake up at 5 a.m. to take the bus, and I don’t want a car. I can’t afford one.”
New Jersey State Gov. Phil Murphy will end his second term with NewBus Hudson in place as well as the North Bridge renovation project coming to an end. The latter will improve outdated rail structure that causes train delays in the Northeast Corridor.
People will be able to get involved with NewBus Hudson in the upcoming months. You can check your local town’s website and visit NJ Transit’s website, or follow their social media for updates.