NJ Transit Steps In: Bayonne Bus Route Revamp Amid Private Carrier Collapse

Century-Old Bus Company Closes: NJ Transit Takes the Wheel

On November 30, 2025, a familiar sight in Bayonne will vanish: the buses of Broadway Bus Company, a local institution for more than a century, will make their final runs. It’s a poignant moment for the community, as the company—operating since 1924—succumbs to pressures that have reshaped public transportation nationwide. As of December 1, NJ Transit will officially take over the route, rebranding it as the No. 12 Broadway Route. This transition isn’t just about swapping logos or drivers; it’s the latest chapter in a story that’s quietly unfolding across New Jersey: the steady retreat of private bus carriers and the growing responsibilities of public transit.

Why Private Carriers Are Disappearing: The Pandemic’s Lingering Toll

Broadway Bus isn’t alone. Since 2023, NJ Transit has stepped in to run at least six other routes after private operators called it quits. The reasons are familiar—and sobering. Emil Massa, the third-generation owner of Broadway Bus Company, told NorthJersey.com that ridership never recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal aid was sparse, and with fewer passengers boarding each day, the economics simply stopped working. Once running 41 buses on four routes, the company was down to just a single line by the end.

This narrative has echoed across the region. DeCamp Bus Lines, once a fixture for Essex County commuters into New York City, ended its service in 2023. TransDev withdrew from seven Monmouth County routes that same year. O.N.E. Bus, part of CoachUSA, dropped several lines in Newark, Orange, and Elizabeth, while A&C Bus ended five Jersey City routes. In 2024, CoachUSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, abandoning 17 routes in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Each time, NJ Transit scrambled to keep service alive.

NJ Transit’s Response: More Than Just a Stopgap

For NJ Transit, these takeovers are both a challenge and an opportunity. Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit President and CEO, emphasized the effort: “I am extremely proud of the work our bus operations team has done to maximize existing resources to accommodate service on routes abandoned by private carriers,” he said in a statement quoted by CBS News New York. The company isn’t merely replicating old schedules; it’s restructuring routes for better coverage and connections. The new No. 12 Broadway Route, for example, will run every half hour and connect with other NJ Transit services, though not all previous stops will remain.

While some passengers may mourn the loss of familiar routines, NJ Transit’s moves have sometimes resulted in expanded service. After DeCamp’s closure, four new routes were added. In other cases, adjustments have aimed to fill gaps left by the private sector’s exit. The question now is whether NJ Transit can maintain and improve service with its stretched resources, especially as more carriers falter.

Digital Hiccups: Tech Outages Compound the Pressure

Amid these operational changes, NJ Transit faces another modern challenge: technology reliability. On November 18, a Cloudflare outage disrupted the agency’s website and mobile app, leaving commuters unable to buy tickets or access schedules online. The incident, reported by The Independent, wasn’t limited to NJ Transit—major platforms like ChatGPT, X (formerly Twitter), Shopify, and Dropbox were affected, too. Cloudflare responded quickly, but the outage underscored how dependent both operators and riders have become on digital infrastructure. When the system falters, frustration mounts—especially for those already anxious about changing bus routes.

Community Impact: Navigating Uncertainty and Change

For Bayonne residents, the end of Broadway Bus Company is more than a headline. It’s a change that will alter daily routines, commute times, and the rhythms of local life. Longtime riders recall drivers who knew their names and the reliability of a schedule built over generations. Now, with NJ Transit in charge, some worry about losing that personal touch. Others welcome the promise of broader connections and a more efficient system, hoping that public investment will outpace the decline of private operators.

The broader trend signals a critical shift in New Jersey’s transportation landscape. As private companies struggle to survive post-pandemic, NJ Transit must balance its mission to serve with the realities of tighter budgets, aging infrastructure, and rising demand. Each takeover is a reminder of how fragile the network can be—and how quickly the familiar can change.

Assessment: The takeover of Bayonne’s bus route by NJ Transit marks a significant moment in the evolution of New Jersey’s public transit. It’s a story of adaptation—where public agencies step in to preserve mobility as private carriers fall away. The move highlights both the resilience and vulnerability of the system, as technological challenges and financial pressures test its limits. For riders, the changes bring uncertainty but also the possibility of more integrated and reliable service, provided NJ Transit can sustain the increased load and maintain its commitment to community needs.