Anyone use NJ Transit bus service?

[ckay87]

Quick background. I am sick of driving into NYC from PA or paying $36 per person for our local bus to NYC. From where I am, I'd like to drive into a NJ town and grab a NJTransit bus.

So I went on their website and after 2 hours of trying to figure out routes (while I admittedly don't know much about the towns and counties of my neighbor state) I give up trying to figure out the ticketing situation.

I think the easiest route for me is to grab a bus in Fanwood or that area (Union county.) But when I looked at the details of the stop, there is no place to buy tickets. So I looked at other stops in the area and same thing...no place to buy tickets.

But then there was a blurb about drivers accepting cash.

So what is it? Do you pay the driver from those stops or do I have to track down some mini-market or something that sells the tickets?

I figure this is probably a no-brainer for someone who uses NJT, but I am baffled as an outsider.

 

[NewJersey]

I know about their train service pretty extensively but I've never taken the bus, so here's a friendly bump for you.

 

[jel0511]

When I used to take NJ Transit buses (not from where you're looking) I always bought my tickets inside Port Authority, using the NJT ticket machines. Now I don't know where in PA you are, but I would think Fanwood is pretty far from you. Why choose Fanwood? We looked into moving to that area (Westfield actually) and I will tell you that commuter parking is VERY hard to come by. They are usually monthly lots, with waiting lists that are years long and usually give priority to township residents. I'd look into the parking situation first and see if that is doable.

ETA: As the previous posted said, why not the train, I know there is train service from Fanwood.

 

[java]

My DH takes
http://www.transbridgebus.com/

into the city everyday.

There are lots all over the place I know in Clinton NJ you can buy tickets(but I think it is around $20) And with the price of gas you might not save so much by driving closer in.

But if you are driving into NJ I would take the train.

 

[ckay87]

When I used to take NJ Transit buses (not from where you're looking) I always bought my tickets inside Port Authority, using the NJT ticket machines. Now I don't know where in PA you are, but I would think Fanwood is pretty far from you. Why choose Fanwood? We looked into moving to that area (Westfield actually) and I will tell you that commuter parking is VERY hard to come by. They are usually monthly lots, with waiting lists that are years long and usually give priority to township residents. I'd look into the parking situation first and see if that is doable.

ETA: As the previous posted said, why not the train, I know there is train service from Fanwood.

Oh that's interesting. Ok, yea, maybe I'll have to look into the train. I'm coming from Allentown. I chose Fanwood because it seemed to be right off of I78. That's really my only criteria.

 

[MM27]

I'll second the train. I used to take the bus into Port Authority during high school and while they cleaned it up a bit from what I hear, it was scary in that area. My sister and I had a guy chase us through the terminal one night when we were coming home. I never took the bus after that.

If you are going to be able to get to Union County anyway, there is a train station near Kean University.

 

[jel0511]

Oh that's interesting. Ok, yea, maybe I'll have to look into the train. I'm coming from Allentown. I chose Fanwood because it seemed to be right off of I78. That's really my only criteria.

here is a map of all NJT trains, maybe it will help you select a train station close to your requirements

http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/Rail_System_Map.pdf

 

[Imzadi]

When I used to take NJ Transit buses (not from where you're looking) I always bought my tickets inside Port Authority, using the NJT ticket machines.

Me too. On the rare occasion I was running late & couldn't stop at the machine, I was able to pay the driver directly and he made change for me. I'd say just bring small bills.

 

[Tosie]

Oh that's interesting. Ok, yea, maybe I'll have to look into the train. I'm coming from Allentown. I chose Fanwood because it seemed to be right off of I78. That's really my only criteria.

I think Clinton has a Transbridge station but I have no idea where those busses go! And that's also right off 78.