Senator McKnight Applauds NJ Transit for Initiating Rescue Bus Service Plan for Coach USA Customers

TRENTON – Senator Angela V. McKnight issued the following statement in response to NJ Transit implementing an emergency bus service plan in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties for routes abandoned by Coach USA with limited advance notice.

Coach USA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June and notified NJ Transit on July 10 of its plan to abandon 20 bus routes in northern New Jersey by August 16. The emergency bus service plan will provide uninterrupted service to riders beginning August 17.

“I commend NJ Transit for prioritizing riders and coordinating an emergency service plan for all twenty abandoned Coach USA bus routes under a very tight deadline. The three bus lines affected in Hudson County serve thousands of riders daily and are an essential resource for our community to get to work, school, medical appointments, or the grocery store. Many people in my district lack alternative transportation options, and the loss of these buses would have had a devastating impact. I will continue to monitor this situation and do my best to ensure riders are satisfied when the emergency service plan takes effect on August 17,” said Senator McKnight (D-Hudson).

“I also urge Governor Murphy to sign S-2607 into law to avoid future crises like this one. This bill requires private bus operators like Coach USA to provide at least four months’ notice to NJ Transit and three months’ notice to the public for service changes like route cancellations. Providing advanced notice of service changes will greatly benefit NJ Transit and its riders, and will hold private bus operators accountable.”