NJ Transit Bus Service Expansion Aimed At Improving Commute From South Jersey To Philadelphia

NJ Transit bus service for Burlington and Camden county residents into Center City Philadelphia is about to improve drastically.

Weekday peak hour trips on Bus Route Nos. 414, 417 and a new Route No. 555 will serve the Philadelphia area west of City Hall using JFK Boulevard, Market Street and 30th Street Station beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17, NJ Transit announced on Thursday.

The newly renumbered 555 route is a combination of three morning and three evening buses from the 551 express line between Avandale Park and Ride and Philadelphia to serve west of Philadelphia City Hall.

The new 555 route will operate during the morning and evening peak periods only, for a total of six trips. It will not serve Greyhound Terminal in Philadelphia or the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden.

Morning service in Philadelphia will operate via bus stops on Sixth Street and Market Street, then proceed westbound on JFK Boulevard to 30th Street. Afternoon service in Philadelphia will start on JFK Boulevard at 30th Street and operate eastbound on Market Street around City Hall to Fifth Street.

Route Nos. 414 and 417 morning service will continue to operate via Sixth Street and Market Street in Philadelphia to City Hall with service continuing westbound on JFK Boulevard to 30th Street. Afternoon service will start on JFK Boulevard at 30th Street and then operate eastbound on Market Street around City Hall to Fifth Street.

The new service west of Philadelphia City Hall on the 414/417/555 will also allow customers to connect to/from select SEPTA bus stops on JFK Boulevard and eastbound Market Street.

“We are pleased the expansion of the 414 and 417 routes and the new 555 route will provide a one-seat ride for Burlington and Camden county residents to locations west of City Hall in Philadelphia,” NJ Transit Executive Director Steven H. Santoro said. “By providing direct access, residents in those two New Jersey counties will now have their commutes to their ultimate destination -- Center City -- improved.’’

New bus timetables go into effect on Saturday, Jan. 14. However, the bus routes that operate on weekdays, such as Nos. 414, 417 and 555 routes, will begin Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for the new 414/417/555 (South Jersey – Center City Connector) timetable.

Patch file photo