Dive Brief:
- New Jersey Transit announced last week it will begin an emergency bus service plan on Aug. 17 to continue service on multiple routes abandoned by contractor Coach USA, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on June 11.
- Coach initially said it would continue to operate its routes without interruption but told NJ Transit in a July 10 letter it would drop 20 bus routes in three counties.
- Academy Bus, a large, privately-owned East Coast operator, will take over the affected routes in Bergen and Passaic counties, NJ Transit said in a press release. The transit agency said it will directly operate the three affected Hudson County routes using existing resources while minimizing disruptions to current bus routes whenever possible.
Dive Insight:
Coach USA, which owns and operates many commuter bus lines in the U.S. and Canada as well as the Megabus intercity routes, fell victim to low ridership, driver shortages and debt from a 2019 private equity buyout.
“While presenting significant challenges to NJ TRANSIT resources, we are once again stepping up after yet another private carrier abandons service with little notice,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “We are ensuring that the thousands of customers who depend on these routes for their mobility retain these vital bus services.” Last year, NJ Transit had to take over routes formerly operated by DeCamp Bus Lines, A&C Bus Company, TransDev as well as some Coach routes.
NJ Transit said riders will see no changes in schedules, fares, routes or bus stops on the Bergen, Hudson and Passaic county lines when the changeover occurs.
