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Bus rapid transit in New Jersey

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Buses in the Newark BRT system are wrapped with go bus

Bus rapid transit (BRT) in New Jersey comprises limited-stop bus service, exclusive bus lanes (XBL) and bus bypass shoulders (BBS). Under the banner Next Generation Bus[1] NJ Transit (NJT), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and the metropolitan planning organizations of New Jersey (MPO) which recommend and authorize transportation projects are undertaking the creation of several additional BRT systems in the state.

In 2011, NJT announced that it would equip its entire bus fleet with devices for real-time locating, thus creating the basis for "next bus" scheduling information at bus shelters. The introduction and expanded use of bus rapid transit in the Garden State is part of the worldwide phenomenon to bring mass transit to heavily trafficked corridors in both high and medium density areas as a cost-saving, and sometimes more flexible, alternative to rail transportation, thus reducing automobile dependency and traffic congestion.

Existing systems

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Greater Newark go bus

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go bus
go bus 25 runs between Irvington Bus Terminal, NJT's second busiest, and Penn Station Newark

NJ Transit began service on its first BRT line, go bus 25, in 2008.[2][3] During peak periods, the line makes limited stops at eleven points between Newark Penn Station and the Irvington Bus Terminal, running for most of its length along Springfield Avenue, a minor thoroughfare.[4]

The go bus 28 is a full-time service between Newark Liberty International Airport's North Area Transit Center, its three terminals, the city's central business district, Branch Brook Park, the Roseville neighborhood, and Bloomfield. Connections to the Montclair-Boonton Line and Newark Light Rail (NLR) are possible on the line's northern segment.[5] There are proposals to extend the service westward to Montclair University.[6]

go25 peak service Archived March 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine via
Newark Penn Station Four Corners
Essex County Courthouse
Springfield Avenue
Irvington Bus Terminal
go28 23-hour service Archived January 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine via
Newark Airport McCarter Highway
Lincoln Park
Government Center
Four Corners
Military Park

Newark Broad Street Station
Branch Brook Park
Bloomfield Ave (NLR)
Roseville
Grove St ( (NLR)
Bloomfield Station

Route 9 BBS

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NJT 139 in Old Bridge
U.S. Route 9 in Freehold through which the third section of BBS will pass

Shoulder lanes, or bus bypass shoulders (BBS), along Route 9 are a part of the express bus system in Monmouth and Middlesex counties.[7] The highway is used by NJT's routes 63, 64, 67 to Hudson County, the 130, 132, 136, 139 to PABT, and Academy Bus to Lower Manhattan.

In 2006, NJDOT reconstructed two stretches of shoulders and made improvements in signals and sidewalks for exclusive bus use during peak hours.[8][9] The bus lanes, which run for approximately 3 miles (4.83 km) from just south of Sayreville in Old Bridge, are the first component of a planned 20-mile (32.19 km) BBS corridor in Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.[7]

The southern terminus of the extended BBS corridor would be in Lakewood, which along with adjacent Toms River saw major population between 2000 and 2010 and are now respectively the 7th and 8th largest municipalities in the state by population. As of 2011, a $588 million project for expansion of the 7.2-mile (11.59 km) segment of Route 9 in the towns was in a "design concept" phase with funding earmarked for 2016-2017 construction.[10] Concurrently, studies are being conducted to explore the possibility of providing rail service to the region. Known as the MOM (Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex) project various alignments are being considered as to where the line would join either the Northeast Corridor Line or the North Jersey Coast Line.[11][12][13]

An extensive analysis by consulting and planning firm Stantec released in 2010 includes recommendations regarding design, construction, and implementation of the BBS extension.[14] The 2nd phase of the project would start at the project's southern end near the Lakewood Bus Terminal near Route 88. The third phase and final phase would connect the northern and southern segments passing through Freehold Township and proximate towns,[15][16] where work would include some widening and deepening of the roadbed to handle bus traffic.[14]

Compressed natural gas buses were introduced in 2015.[17]

Studies and proposals

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Bayonne–Journal Square BRT

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Changing public transportation use patterns, due in part to increased travel by light rail and jitney, led to several studies to evaluate bus circulation in Hudson County and to the cancelation of the #10 bus, seen here leaving the Journal Square Transportation Center

The opening of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) in 2000 and the increased use of jitneys, locally known as dollar vans, have greatly affected travel patterns in Hudson County, leading to decreased bus ridership on traditional transit corridors. After studies conducted examine existing systems and to address the changes in public transportation it was determined that BRT systems would be appropriate for certain parts of the densely populated urban core of northeastern New Jersey.[18][19][20]

Kennedy Boulevard runs the entire length of the peninsula that encompasses much of Hudson, its northern and southern sections meeting at Journal Square, the traditional hub of the county, and site of the Journal Square Transportation Center. The boulevard travels south from the square through the Bergen Section and Greenville in Jersey City to Bergen Point in Bayonne. Service along the corridor had been provided by privately operated Coach USA on two routes: the #10 local service and the #99s (with continuing service to Jersey City Heights and the PABT). Citing reduced ridership and increased competition the company in late 2011/early 2012, announced that it would abandon the routes. After negotiations service was continued in a diminished form and operated by Academy Bus under contract with NJT. The company's #4 route was taken over by A&C Bus Corporation.[21][22][23][24] The routes have since returned to Coach USA in June 2021.

The Bayonne / Greenville / Journal Square Bus Rapid Transit Study, funded by NJTPA and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff, does not propose a dedicated bus ROW for the BRT, but similar to Newark's go bus or New York's Select Bus Service, using city streets. Its ultimate goal is to explore "the feasibility of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along the north-south roadway corridors to improve bus service between Bayonne and Jersey City." It will examine the optimal location of boarding kiosks with scheduling amenities, appropriate vehicles, and branding[25][26] and explore possible corridors on Broadway, Avenue C, Garfield Avenue, and Ocean Avenue and connections to the Staten Island-bound S89 bus at the HBLR 34th Street Station.[25][27] As of March 2013, preliminary studies identified Kennedy Boulevard as the best potential corridor perhaps in hybrid route with Bergen Avenue and MLK Drive.[28]

In anticipation of a general increase of activity at Port Jersey and new development on West Side and Hackensack Riverront in Jersey City studies are being conducted to transform routes 440 and 1/9 into a multi-use urban boulevard that includes possible grade separations, meridians, and traffic circle, thus creating a viable BRT corridor.[29][30][31][32] As envisioned, the BRT corridor would run from Droyer's Point and reach Journal Square via Sip Avenue.[33]

Union go bus expressway

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The former Central Railroad of New Jersey station house in Elizabeth. The current NJ Transit station on the Northeast Corridor is visible elevated on the right. They have been the focal point of a multi-modal integration and transit-oriented development study.

The proposed Union County go bus system is part of the planned Liberty Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Service network centered around Newark Liberty International Airport.[34] The hub of the Union network would be the unused former Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) station in Elizabeth which is adjacent to NJT's Elizabeth station that is served by the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line. Proposals call for reconstruction and better integration of the two stations as Midtown Station.[35] The district has been identified as one of the state's major potential transit-oriented development (TOD) centers.[36]

The northern end of the system would travel through Midtown and the parking areas, terminals, and cargo shipping facilities at Newark Airport, partially following the Union County Light Rail route plan that was scrapped in 2006). A spur on this portion would travel to Jersey Gardens, a regional shopping mall.[36][37]

In a southwesterly direction the system would utilize an abandoned portion of the Central Railroad of New Jersey mainline right-of-way between Midtown Station and the Aldene Connection, where the current Raritan Valley Line ). A parallel greenway providing pedestrian and bicycle paths, would be incorporated into the plan. Once joining the RVL the busway would allow for transfers at Cranford Station and Garwood Station, where it would end.[36] The go bus expressway would generally parallel New Jersey Route 28.[37]

Bergen BRT

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Intersection of Route 17 and Route 4: The malls of Paramus are major activity generators. 2013 study recommends nine BRT routes, many which pass through area.[38]

While served in part by rail, adjacent Bergen and Passaic counties nonetheless rely heavily on service for public transportation. The Passaic-Bergen Rail Line is a now dormant project that would have created a cross-county (east-west) system using DMUs. The Northern Branch Corridor Project, advanced to environmental impact statement stage, is a planned extension of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail serving the eastern part of region closest to the Hudson Palisades.

Various studies have been conducted and proposals have been made to create a comprehensive bus network, including the development of BRT routes concentrated in the vicinity of NJ Route 17, a frequently congested commercial and commuter corridor between the Meadowlands Sports Complex and the New York State line, running on a southeast-northwest diagonal between NJT's Main/Bergen and Pascack Valley rail lines. Of particular focus is the HackensackParamus area, where there is a concentration of "activity generators"—shopping malls, colleges, hospitals, and government offices—both north and south of Route 4, an important east-west corridor. The intersection of Routes 4 and 17 is one of the busiest in the world.[39] Largely "built-out", Bergen and Passaic are seeing a trend toward transit oriented development conducive to BRT.[40]

Route 17
Bergen BRT Blue Line
2010 proposal
Ridgewood Park and Ride
Paramus Park
Fashion Center
Garden State Parkway park & ride
Bergen Regional Medical Center
Garden State Plaza
Bergen Town Center
Hackensack
Prospect Ave.
(3 stops)
Hackensack University Medical Center
Essex Street (NJT station)
Secaucus Junction

In the 2006 report Route 17 Bergen Rapid Transit Study, STV Group proposed two BRT lines would have originated/terminated at Secaucus Junction, a major NJT rail interchange station between New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station. At the time Access to the Region's Core (ARC), an extensive rail infrastructure project which included new Hudson River tunnel was in its planning stages with the presumption it would be built.[41] ARC was canceled in 2010. The Blue Route would have travelled from the northern part of the county and then run express from Hackensack along Interstate 80 and the New Jersey Turnpike. The Orange Route would have travelled from Paramus through the southern part of the county.[41]

In 2010, Parsons Brinkerhoff's Vision Bergen: Blueprint For Our Future Networking Transportation To Make It Work Route 17 identified a number of trunk and branch BRT routes for the county, and recommended the Blue Route as the best alternative for a pilot project. It is estimated that implementing the route would cost $45 million.[42]

In October 2011, NJT said that there is no funding available for implementation of a BRT system, but that a study would establish an "action plan" should any become available.[43] In November 2011 the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders and NJT agreed jointly fund $600,000 for the Bus Rapid Transit Implementation Study,[44] the purpose of which is to identify two or more BRT routes and enhancements between bus and rail service.[7][45] The study addresses changing travel patterns, particularly the fact that nearly 60% of commuter trips are made within the county.[46]

In June 2014, it was announced that five "preferred" routes had been established. Two would originate/terminate at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, with one traveling along the Hudson waterfront and local streets to the Garden State Plaza shopping mall in Paramus and the other along Route 17 to the existing Montvale Park & Ride on the Garden State Parkway. Two would originate/terminate at Secaucus Junction, one running to Bergen Community College via Route 17 and one to Englewood Hospital via local streets and the New Jersey Turnpike. The fifth route would travel between the Broadway Bus Terminal in Paterson and George Washington Bridge Bus Station along Route 4.[47][48][49] In November 2014, it was announced that three potential routes would be studied:[50]

Route Route Route
Secaucus Junction

Montvale Park and Ride

Secaucus Junction

Paramus Park

Broadway Bus Terminal (Paterson)

Englewood Hospital

In September 2017, a new study was released which identified four (A,B,C,D) preferred BRT routes.[51]

Meadowlands Sports Complex and Secaucus Junction

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In 2021 NJ Transit authorized studies for alternative options between the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Secaucus Junction including a bus "transitway" along the ROW.[52][53][54] A partial version is planned to go into service for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[55][56]

References

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  1. ^ "Evaluation of Next Generation Bus (BRT- type) Service in the NJTPA Region". NPTPA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  2. ^ Baldwin, Zoe (April 4, 2008). "Go Newark, Go Bus". Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  3. ^ ""Go Bus" service doubles starting September 2 New bi-directional service offered between Newark and Irvington" (Press release). New Jersey Transit. August 13, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2012..
  4. ^ "go bus 25". New Jersey Transit. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ^ "go bus 28". New Jersey Transit. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference greaterNWK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference TSTC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "NJDOT to open Route 9 Bus shoulder lanes in Old Bridge" (Press release). New Jersey Department of Transportation. November 29, 2006. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  9. ^ Synthesis 64: Bus shoulder lanes, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, 2007, ISBN 9780309097673
  10. ^ "FY 2014 Study and Development Program: Route 9, Lakewood/Toms River, Congestion Relief". North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. July 8, 2013. p. 13. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  11. ^ "MOM Alternatives (map)". Ocean County. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  12. ^ "Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex" Archived September 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. New Jersey Transit. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  13. ^ "Federal dollars to fund rail study". News Transcript. September 1, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2012. [permanent dead link]
  14. ^ a b Luglio, Louis J., PE (2010). "BRT Planning in Active Corridors Use of Shoulders" (PDF). Stantec. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 4, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Route 9" (PDF). NJ Transit Bus Service: The Next Generation. New Jersey Transit. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  16. ^ Luglio, Louis J., PE (2010). "Study area map" (PDF). BRT Planning in Active Corridors Use of Shoulders. Stantec. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 4, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Higgs, Larry (April 30, 2015). "Why NJ Transit's newest buses are skipping stops on its busiest bus corridor". NJ.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  18. ^ "Hudson County Jitney Study". NJTPA. 2010. Archived from the original on August 1, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  19. ^ Urbitran Associates (2007). "Final Report" (PDF). Hudson County Bus Circulation and Infrastructure Study. NJTPA. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 15, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  20. ^ New Jersey Transit; et al. (2009). "Executive Summary" (PDF). Final Report Jersey City Local Bus Study. NJT. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  21. ^ McDonald, Terrence T. (October 17, 2011), "Discontinued bus routes in Jersey City, Bayonne to be picked up with no lapse in service", The Jersey Journal, retrieved April 20, 2012
  22. ^ Steadman, Andrew (March 7, 2012), "Mayor Smith aims to prevent bus company from ceasing service to JFK Blvd.", The Jersey Journal, retrieved April 1, 2012
  23. ^ "NJ Transit keeps Route #10 rolling in Jersey City and Bayonne" (Press release). New Jersey Transit. March 21, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  24. ^ Steadman, Andrew (March 22, 2012), "Academy Bus Co. to take over Bayonne, Jersey City No. 10 busline; will keep it operating past present owner's April 8 termination date", The Jersey Journal, retrieved April 1, 2012
  25. ^ a b "Jersey City/Journal Square/Bayonne Bus Rapid Transit Study" (PDF). NJTPA FY 2012-2013 Subregional Studies Program Proposal. NJTPA. Retrieved April 20, 2012. [permanent dead link]
  26. ^ Hack, Charles (January 25, 2012), "Hudson freeholders to study express bus service between Jersey City and Bayonne", The Jersey Journal, retrieved April 20, 2012
  27. ^ "A Feasibility Study for Bayonne and Jersey City". Bayonne/Greenville?Journal SquareJersey City BRT Feasibility Study. Hudson County. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  28. ^ Sullivan, Al (March 20, 2013). "Rapid transit bus service looked best on JFK A study shows Kennedy Boulevard as best route from Bayonne to Journal Square". Hudson Reporter. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  29. ^ Jacobs (March 9, 2010). Route 440/Routes 1&9 Multi-Use Urban Boulevard and Through Truck Diversion Concept Development Study (PDF) (Report). Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce.
  30. ^ Scope of Work (PDF) (Report). www.440study.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  31. ^ MacDonald, Terrence (March 25, 2011), "Wittpenn Bridge and Pulaski Skyway among Hudson County road projects to receive $551 million in state funding", The Jersey Journal
  32. ^ "Route 440/Route 1&9T Multi-Use Urban Boulevard and Through Truck Diversion Concept" (PDF). North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. August 23, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  33. ^ Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan (PDF) (Report). Jersey City Division of Planning. July 14, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  34. ^ Cite error: The named reference libertyBRT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  35. ^ "Bollwage supports construction of new midtown train station by NJ Transit", Suburban News, March 16, 2012, retrieved February 1, 2012
  36. ^ a b c "Elizabeth Downtown Multi-Modal Integration Study". North Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  37. ^ a b "Union County Go bus expressway" (PDF). NJ Transit Bus Service: The Next Generation. New Jersey Transit. April 26, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  38. ^ Ma, Myles (November 14, 2013). "Bergen County, NJ Transit study new bus system, but where should it go?". Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  39. ^ George James (August 3, 2003). "UP FRONT: WORTH NOTING; IKEA Wonders Where the Crowds Are". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  40. ^ O"Neil, James; Fallon, Scott (January 10, 2013). "Re-thinking Bergen County's Urban Sprawl". The Record. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  41. ^ a b STV Group (September 2006). Final Report (PDF). Route 17 Bergen Rapid Transit Study (Report). Retrieved April 20, 2012. [permanent dead link]
  42. ^ Parsons Brinkerhoff. "Vision Bergen: Blueprint For Our Future Networking Transportation To Make It Work Route 17" (PDF). Bergen Rapid Transit Study. Bergen County. Retrieved March 3, 2012. [permanent dead link]
  43. ^ Ensslin, John (October 11, 2011), "NJ Transit wants to explore bus only lanes and traffic lights in Bergen County", The Record, retrieved May 5, 2012
  44. ^ Department of Planning & Economic Development, Clarification BRTrfp, Bergen County, New Jersey, archived from the original on March 23, 2012, retrieved May 5, 2012
  45. ^ Ensslin, John C. (November 26, 2011). "Bergen signs on to find new links for buses, trains". The Record. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  46. ^ "Bergen County Bus Rapid Transit Implementation Study". Bergen County and NJT. 2013. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  47. ^ Ma, Myles (June 5, 2014). "Five Routes Named for Bergen County Bus Rapid Transit System". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  48. ^ "Bergen Route Options" (PDF). Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  49. ^ Masters, Emily (June 6, 2014). "A bus rapid transit system in Bergen County could speed up mass transit, study shows". The Record. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014.
  50. ^ Ma, Myles (November 14, 2014). "Proposed Bergen County bus rapid transit routes narrowed to three". NJ.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  51. ^ "Bergen County Bus Rapid Transit (Implementation) Study" (PDF). September 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  52. ^ Higss, Larry (August 26, 2021). "Amid questions, NJ Transit takes first steps to new Transitway to American Dream, MetLife stadium". NJ Advance Media for nj.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  53. ^ Katzban, Nicolas, Wilson, Colleen. "New Jersey Transit Board approves $3.5 million contract for new bus line to Meadowlands". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved June 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  54. ^ "PROJECT SHEET SECAUCUS TO MEADOWLANDS (BOONTON) TRANSITWAY" (PDF). NJ Transit.
  55. ^ "NJ Transit racing to build Transitway in time for World Cup 2026". July 20, 2023.
  56. ^ "How to get fans to MetLife for World Cup? NJ Transit will spend $35M to design bus lane".
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