NJ Unveils "My Bus" Service

In today's digital age, where it's not uncommon to see more people talking or texting on phones than talking to each other, it makes sense that technology could be used to make things like bus travel easier and more convenient.

The MyBus program, which is already in place at over 19,000 bus stops in New Jersey–with full signage expected to be installed by the end of next year–assigns a number to each stop. By dialing "69287" ("MyBus") on phones with SMS text messaging service, then inputting the assigned number at your stop, users of the service can get up-to-date bus schedule information within moments.

"This gives our bus customers the ability to get their information where they need it, when they need it," said James Weinstein, executive director of NJ Transit. 

Morris County Freeholder Gene Feyl, who chairs the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, said NJ Transit was very receptive to the needs of its users, an estimated 600,000 a day. "This marks a change in how we do business in New Jersey," he said. "Rail has always been dominant, [but] the bus offers the opportunity to go where trains cannot go."

In addition, customers can visit njtransit.com/mybus to obtain bus stop IDs, as well as calling 973-275-5555 or 511, where they can input their bus stop ID number 24 hours a day.

Feyl said he hoped, with the added ease and flexibility the MyBus program was expected to bring, "We will see more people avail themselves of this service."