NJ Law Will Force Bus Companies To Warn Customers About Route Cutbacks

NEW JERSEY — A new state law in New Jersey will make sure that bus riders get a heads up when a private company decides to cancel its routes.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed A-3872/S-2607 into law last week. Here’s what it will do, according to its primary sponsors in the Senate, Teresa Ruiz and Angela McKnight:

“The bill requires a private bus operator to provide at least four months' written notice to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and NJ Transit before a substantial cutback in service. The bus operator is also required to give at least three months' written notice to customers and hold at least one public meeting in the affected area.”

Any private company found in violation of the bill would be subject to a fine of $10,000 for each violation.

The bill excludes any motorbus operations that are “predominately operated for tourism or recreational purposes from these requirements, its sponsors noted.

According to Ruiz and McKnight, several private bus carrier companies have terminated services and routes throughout the state with little notice in the past few years.

For example, Coach USA abruptly stopped service along 20 bus routes in August. This caused distress among riders and left NJ Transit to establish short-term emergency alternatives – and lean on employees to fill the gaps, the lawmakers said.

• See Related: NJ Transit Will Take Over 20 Bus Routes, Amid Coach USA Financial Woes
• See Related: 7 Bergen County Bus Routes To Be Terminated; Officials Raise Alarms

Other bus companies that have recently discontinued routes in the Garden State include A&C, DeCamp and TransDev. Impacted areas have included Newark, Jersey City, Bayonne, the Oranges, Elizabeth, and both Essex and Monmouth counties.

• See Related: Company Drops 3 North Jersey Bus Routes, Leaving Riders Fuming
• See Related: Public Outcry Continues In NJ City As Coach Ends Bus Routes
• See Related: NJ Bus Companies Could Face New Rules If They Plan To Cut Routes

“For many people, public transportation is their only way to travel to work, access medical care, and take care of their families,” Ruiz said.

“Any disruption to these services can mean upending someone’s livelihood,” she added, saying that the new law will help hold private bus companies “accountable” to their customers.

“Commuters should not be left in the dark on changes to their private bus route service,” McKnight agreed. “This legislation gives NJ Transit and commuters more time to prepare alternative transportation or voice their concerns over service cuts, making sure everyone can still get to their destination.”

• See Related: More Homes Needed Near Train Stations In New Jersey, Study Says

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