7 Bergen County Bus Routes To Be Terminated; Officials Raise Alarms

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After Coach USA said they planned to stop 10 bus routes in Bergen and Hudson counties starting in mid-August, officials have asked NJ Transit to step in.

Coach has filed for bankruptcy and said it will stop running the routes on Aug. 16.

Coach will drop routes 751, 752, 753, 755, 756, 762, 772, and 780 in Bergen County, and 2, 84, and 88 in Hudson County.

The routes travel around the county, such as bus route 752, which heads through Hackensack, Oakland, and Ridgewood.

Bergen County officials asked NJ Transit to step in and pick up the routes, as they have done in the past.

The officials issued the following release on Wednesday:

Release From Bergen County Officials

County Executive Jim Tedesco and County Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz issue the following statement in response to reports that Coach USA will prematurely terminate contracts it has with the agency for 20 bus routes in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties:

“I am deeply concerned over recent reports that Coach USA will prematurely terminate their agreement with NJ Transit, leaving the operation of several Bergen County bus routes in question,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “This sudden and inadequate notice from Coach USA is unacceptable and will significantly impact our residents, particularly those who rely on these routes for their daily commutes to work and school.”

Tedesco continued “The fact of the matter is, we need more opportunities for mass transit, not less! I urgently call upon NJ Transit to take immediate action to ensure a smooth transition for Bergen County commuters by either finding a new service provider or assuming the operation of the impacted Bergen County routes themselves. It is critical to ensure that our residents, especially the hundreds of students and staff commuting to Bergen Community College, do not experience any disruption in their transportation services. Reliable public transportation is essential for the well-being and economic vitality of our community and I am confident that NJ Transit understands the importance of these routes and will work swiftly to address this urgent matter.”

“It is truly disheartening to hear that numerous bus routes in Bergen County will be affected by Coach USA ending their contract with NJ Transit,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz. “Reliable public transit is crucial for the stability and prosperity of our county and this sudden decision will drastically inconvenience our residents, especially those who rely on these buses for their daily commutes. It is imperative that NJ Transit acts swiftly to maintain uninterrupted transportation and minimize the impact on our community.”