Introduction
The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and NJ TRANSIT are jointly conducting this comprehensive needs analysis of bus, shuttle and ridesharing options in a study area that includes large portions of Sussex, Morris, northern Warren, and western Passaic counties. The study is anticipated to be completed in winter 2010.
Study Purpose
The Northwest New Jersey Bus Study will identify opportunities to address traffic congestion by increasing the use of transit and ridesharing in this fast-growing area and give residents and workers greater access to jobs and other destinations. It will also respond to a variety of recent requests for new or improved transit services throughout the study area. The study focuses on short- and medium-term options for service and facility improvements that would promote expanded use of more efficient travel modes, such as buses, shuttles, and carpools for local and inter-county trips in northwestern New Jersey. A number of NJ TRANSIT, county/local, and private carrier bus and shuttle routes are being analyzed in this study.
The study will also identify locations where new or enhanced park and ride facilities and "transit hubs" would ease transfers between these "rubber tire" transit modes and existing commuter rail services. To accomplish this, the NJTPA and NJ TRANSIT have retained the services of transit systems planning firm, TranSystems Corp. of Boston, Massachusetts.
The study will involve the following elements:
- Definition of Critical Transportation Corridors and Travel Markets
- Data Collection
- Traveler Surveys
- Development of Improvement Options
- Future Travel Demand Forecasting
- Concept Level Recommendations
Public and Agency Outreach
Public input and coordination with elected officials and agency staff
will be integral to the success of the study at every phase . A project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is one of several outreach tools that will guide this study effort. The TAC is made up of officials representing the four study area counties, NJDOT, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the Highlands Council, Office of Smart Growth, and TransOptions. Additional meetings are anticipated with key officials from the study area counties and muncipalities, adjacent counties, other stakeholder agencies and the public.
Additional public input has been gathered from two traveler surveys conducted in Spring/Summer 2008. Transit rider survey questionnaires were administered on-board a number of the study area's NJ TRANSIT and private carrier bus routes. An online travel survey, conducted during Summer 2008 and hosted by the Transportation Management Association TransOptions, will soon provide more general public feedback on study area travel patterns, and the needs of both transit-users and non-transit users.
Possible Improvements for Analysis in the Study
Ultimately, the study will produce a series of recommendations for more commuting options for individuals who live and/or work in the Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. The study recognizes the need to coordinate with adjacent counties in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Some commonly-implemented transit network 
improvement stragegies that could come out of this analysis may involve:
- New and restructured bus and shuttle routes
- Vanpool, carpool, or other non-traditional transit programs and subsidies
- Shoulder lane and "queue jump" operations and Transit Signal Priority to expedite buses through congested intersections
- New or enhanced park and ride facilities and transit hubs
- Improved passenger facilities and access at bus stops
- Informational enhancements and better coordination of various transit services
This Web page will be updated as needed with information on meetings, important study findings and improvement recommendations as they become available for public review. Study TAC members can access a password protected section to review draft study products and other information. For more information on the Northwest New Jersey Bus Study at NJTPA, contact Josh Schneider, Principal Planner of Corridor Studies, at 973-639-8400 or nwnjbus@njtpa.org.