'MyBus' Text Message Schedule Service Planned Across NJ

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

That was the thinking of New Jersey Transit, which on Thursday unveiled a "MyBus" sign at the Morristown Train Station. It was the second MyBus sign unveiled, with the first installed last month in Atlantic County.

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 texting "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.

Bus stop numbers are available online at the NJ Transit website or by phone at 973-275-5555. 

NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein demonstrated the service at the late morning press conference. "I'm challenged a little on the BlackBerry, so excuse me," he said to a few laughs. In about 30 seconds, Weinstein received a text with the next several scheduled times for the bus at Morristown Train Station.

"This gives our bus customers the ability to get their information where they need it, when they need it," he said. 

Morris County Freeholder Gene Feyl, who also chairs the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, said NJ Transit was very receptive to the needs of its users, some 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."

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."