I am trying to help a friend who is moving to NJ and is trying to plan their commute. Unfortunately, the NJ Transit website and fare system is focused on commuting trips only, so it is not clear on pricing for trips outside of the commute trip. Essentially, we are trying to save money, but it is a bit of a puzzle. I figured the folks here might be better off answering this question than the customer service people at NJ Transit.
Let me try to explain, but warning, it is a puzzle!
Primary commute would be from Ivy Hill neighborhood in Newark (Nearish to South Orange) into NYC. NJ Transit trip planner provided two options:
1. Bus No 1 to Newark Penn ($2.55) and then train to NYP ($5.25)
2. Bus No 107 to Port Authority ($7.00)
Now, monthly passes arent mentioned in the trip planner, and require extra research (why?). So first I dive into the NEC timesheet and pull out that the monthly pass for trip 1 would be $152, which supposedly covers both the local bus and the train.
I then dive into some PDF of bus fares which says the $7 bus fare is the equivalent of a $199 monthly pass.
Ok, here is where the puzzle begins.
The NJTransit website says this:
"Monthly Passes: If you have a monthly rail pass valued at $59 or more, you can use it on any NJ TRANSIT light rail line or buses up to the number of zones indicated on the pass. Simply show your valid rail pass to the bus operator or light rail fare inspector."
Great, so thats where I pull out that the $152 monthly from Newark to NYP covers the local ($2.55) bus.
But what about the reverse? If she purchases a monthly bus pass for option 2, and that monthly bus pass costs $199, does that cover the rail trip which costs less? This is important for travel flexibility. The bus trip to PANY and the bus+train trip to Penn take a similar amount of time, but the frequency varies, especially off peak. She will be traveling to the city both at traditional commute hours (8am) and an nontraditional times (10pm), meaning the flexibility is important.
And then the next cog:
This person will also be relying on NJTransit for all other trips (no car).
So say she wants to visit New Brunswick on the weekend.
If she takes option 1, and purchases the $152 monthly pass, and presents her Newark-NYC pass on the Newark-New Brunswick train, how much will she have to pay in cash to the conductor?
And if she purchases option 2 ($199 monthly bus pass), same question, will her pass be honored in reducing the out of pocket cost of the Newark to New Brunswick trip?
Thank you!
Let me try to explain, but warning, it is a puzzle!
Primary commute would be from Ivy Hill neighborhood in Newark (Nearish to South Orange) into NYC. NJ Transit trip planner provided two options:
1. Bus No 1 to Newark Penn ($2.55) and then train to NYP ($5.25)
2. Bus No 107 to Port Authority ($7.00)
Now, monthly passes arent mentioned in the trip planner, and require extra research (why?). So first I dive into the NEC timesheet and pull out that the monthly pass for trip 1 would be $152, which supposedly covers both the local bus and the train.
I then dive into some PDF of bus fares which says the $7 bus fare is the equivalent of a $199 monthly pass.
Ok, here is where the puzzle begins.
The NJTransit website says this:
"Monthly Passes: If you have a monthly rail pass valued at $59 or more, you can use it on any NJ TRANSIT light rail line or buses up to the number of zones indicated on the pass. Simply show your valid rail pass to the bus operator or light rail fare inspector."
Great, so thats where I pull out that the $152 monthly from Newark to NYP covers the local ($2.55) bus.
But what about the reverse? If she purchases a monthly bus pass for option 2, and that monthly bus pass costs $199, does that cover the rail trip which costs less? This is important for travel flexibility. The bus trip to PANY and the bus+train trip to Penn take a similar amount of time, but the frequency varies, especially off peak. She will be traveling to the city both at traditional commute hours (8am) and an nontraditional times (10pm), meaning the flexibility is important.
And then the next cog:
This person will also be relying on NJTransit for all other trips (no car).
So say she wants to visit New Brunswick on the weekend.
If she takes option 1, and purchases the $152 monthly pass, and presents her Newark-NYC pass on the Newark-New Brunswick train, how much will she have to pay in cash to the conductor?
And if she purchases option 2 ($199 monthly bus pass), same question, will her pass be honored in reducing the out of pocket cost of the Newark to New Brunswick trip?
Thank you!
