Modeling/Surveys

Trans-Hudson

Trans-Hudson Bus Survey (2022-2024)

The NJTPA is partnering with NJ TRANSIT (which is administering the project) and the Port Authority of NY and NJ to sponsor an updated Trans-Hudson Bus Survey. The previous survey was conducted in the Spring 2012.

This multi-year study is surveying riders on Trans-Hudson buses into Manhattan that use the Port Authority Bus Terminal, George Washington Bridge Bus Station and other curbside Manhattan locations (e.g., the Hudson River Ferry Terminals). The survey also includes intra-Jersey riders that use NJ TRANSIT Trans-Hudson buses. The survey was conducted during Spring 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023. Data will be used to support funding grant applications and analyses for planning and operations, such as regional travel demand models, the next NJTPA Long-Range Transportation Plan and other planning studies.

The survey is largely an Origin-Destination survey similar in structure to the previous survey including questions on trip start and end points, access and egress information, trip purpose and demographics. The survey also includes a question for each rider on their anticipated changes in bus usage pre and post COVID.

The final results including the final report are expected at the end of calendar year 2024.

For further information, contact Brian Fineman at (973) 639-8408 or [email protected].

 

Trans-Hudson Bus Survey (2012)

Study report coverThe NJTPA partnered with NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of NY and NJ to sponsor a new Trans-Hudson Bus Survey to meet federal data requirements. The last survey was conducted by NJ TRANSIT in spring 2002. 

These bus trips are a critical transportation market in the NJTPA region. The NJTPA uses survey data to develop and validate its Enhanced North Jersey Regional Transportation Model (NJRTM-E), for air quality conformity analysis, to update the Regional Transportation Plan and for other planning studies. NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of NY and NJ use surveys to update models, plan interstate bus services and understand the customer experience. Surveys also inform project planning, redevelopment efforts, information sharing with developers and transportation management associations, transit service and fair equity analysis, fare modifications and much more.

The project team surveyed riders on most Trans-Hudson buses into Manhattan including 37 NJ TRANSIT routes that use the Port Authority Bus Terminal, George Washington Bridge Bus Station and the Holland Tunnel to Lower Manhattan. The survey also included intra-New Jersey riders that use NJ TRANSIT Trans-Hudson buses and four long distance NJ TRANSIT bus routes that serve as feeders to PATH.

The format was based on the 2002 survey with revisions to gather information on current topics of interest. The project team surveyed riders on:

  • the beginning and ending point of their trip
  • access/egress information
  • trip purposes
  • trip frequencies
  • ticket types used
  • demographics
  • customer satisfaction

The survey was conducted from March-June 2012 and the final report was completed in May 2013.

For further information, contact Brian Fineman at (973) 639-8408 or [email protected].

 

Trans-Hudson Ferry Survey (2013)

Ferry service is an important supplemental component of the Trans-Hudson transportation market in northern New Jersey. The NJTPA partnered with NJ TRANSIT to sponsor a survey in 2013 to address federal data requirements. The last full survey of ferry riders was conducted in 1998.

As with the Trans-Hudson Bus Survey, the ferry survey provides data for developing and validating the Enhanced North Jersey Regional Transportation Model (NJRTM-E), for air quality conformity analysis, to update the regional transportation plan and for other planning studies. NJ TRANSIT also uses the survey data to update their transit forecasting model and for transit planning and analysis.

The Trans-Hudson Ferry Survey format was based on past surveys with revisions to gather information on current topics of interest. The project team surveyed ferry riders on:

  • the beginning and ending point of their trip
  • access/egress information
  • trip purposes
  • trip frequencies
  • ticket types used
  • demographics
  • customer satisfaction

The ferry survey complements other planned NJ TRANSIT studies so that, together, data will be developed for all NJ-NY ferry routes. Ferries are operated by private carriers (e.g., NY Waterway, BillyBey, and Seastreak) and provide service between landings in NJ—Edgewater, Port Imperial/Weehawken, Lincoln Harbor, Hoboken, Newport, Paulus Hook, Liberty Harbor, Liberty Landing, Port Liberte, Belford and Atlantic Highlands—and NY—Pier 79, World Financial Center and Pier 11.

The survey was conducted during August 2013 and the final report is posted here. Results from the survey are available on request.

For further information, contact Keith Miller at (973) 639-8444 or [email protected].