Academy Bus Lines is a bus company in New Jersey providing local bus services in northern New Jersey, line-run services to/from New York City from points in southern and central New Jersey, and contract and charter service in the eastern United States from Boston to Miami. In 2014, Academy acquired Go Buses, which currently operates bus service between Boston and Washington, D.C., and in southern Florida.[1] On September 27, 2023, Academy acquired James River Transportation, which operates in Virginia.[2] Academy is the third-largest motorcoach operator in the United States and Canada.[3]
Under contract to New Jersey Transit (NJT), Academy Bus operates the following routes using NJT-owned equipment. Routes are listed by county.[4] NJT did not renew its contract with Academy for Hudson and Middlesex Counties following a fraud settlement with Academy.[5][6]
Operated alongside NJ Transit, until NJT had enough operators. Academy temporarily operated from October to December 2023.
Other contract operations
Under contract to Rutgers University, Academy Bus operated the campus shuttles for the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses under a 10-year contract,[8] until June 30, 2011, after which time First Transit Services, Inc. took over operations of the Rutgers Campus Buses. Academy has filed a lawsuit against the university over the loss of the contract.[9][10] Despite the loss of shuttle operations, the company continues to provide the chartered bus operations used for tours and other events.
In January 2014, Academy began operation of the SIM23 and SIM24 (formerly X23 and X24) routes between Manhattan and Staten Island, formerly operated by the now bankrupt Atlantic Express. These routes were subsidized by and operated under contract to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. On January 3, 2022, operations of the two routes transferred to the MTA, with minor changes to the operating times and routing.[11]
As of October 1, 2014, Academy operates the MTA Maryland Commuter Express routes #410, #411, & #420 under contract to and using MTA Maryland owned buses. The #820 was also awarded by MTA Maryland and began operations on July 1, 2015.
Academy operates shuttle buses for Tri-Rail in Florida and operates various private and public community shuttles on behalf of municipalities and private communities throughout its service area.
In July of 2022, Academy Bus took over operations of DisneyWorld's Cruise Line Bus route. This service was previously done by Mears Transportation, until they lost the contract in June of 2022.[12] Academy Bus also added a new Disney World Sunshine Flyer service in November of 2022. [13]
As of September 27, 2023, Academy bus operates AmtrakThruway Service between Charlottesville to Richmond, Virginia. This service was previously operated by James River Transportation, which was acquired that same day.
On June 17, 2024, Academy Bus took over EZRide from Paul Revere Transportation. Academy Bus increased service, while adding new Eldorado buses to run the service. [14]
Academy operated under contract BestBus, which provides intercity buses between New York and the Washington area.[15] BestBus was acquired by competitor DC Trails.
In 2013, Academy began a contract with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League to run shuttles on game days from carrying spectators from local restaurants serving Pepsi to PNC Arena, the team's arena. The buses are free of charge for patrons who purchase Pepsi-branded drinks at partner restaurants.[16]
Academy formerly operated under contract to Bridj, a private, app-based, on-demand transit service, in the Greater Boston area.[17]
Academy Bus also provides Uber shuttle bus service, as of July 2024.[18]
Directly controlled commuter routes
Academy Bus provides commuter line run service along several routes from Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey.[19]
The full route is shown for each except for branching. Unless otherwise noted, passengers are carried to and from New York only.
Wall Street via Jersey City service operates during peak hours only.
AM rush service to midtown continues to East Midtown.
Willingboro served during peak hours only.
New York Wall Street area
← AM ---- → PM
NOTES:
Route 9 service via Academy is provided to lower Manhattan only (except for service via Jackson, which is available to midtown Manhattan). Route 9 service to midtown (except Jackson service) is provided on the 139 full-time.
Toms River and Route 549 service via Academy is only provided to lower Manhattan. Toms River service to midtown Manhattan is provided on the 137 line full-time.
All service via the Garden State Parkway (except for Route 9) operates via the Cheesequake park and ride. Shore Points and Parkway Express services also stop at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
Academy Bus runs an intercity buscommon carrier service under the "Go Buses" brand, servicing the Northeast United States from Boston to Washington, D.C.. Go Buses markets its service with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and a free bottle of water upon boarding, along with a frequent rider rewards program. Offering tickets as low as $5 per one-way trip, Go Buses competes with other low-cost intercity bus services, such as Megabus, BoltBus, and various Chinatown bus lines. Academy Bus acquired Go Buses in 2014.[20]
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