New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) plays a significant role in providing bus transportation service that connects Philadelphia with various communities in New Jersey. This service is vital not only for commuters but also for travelers making day trips, attending special events, or simply moving between New Jersey and Philadelphia efficiently. With its extensive network of bus routes, the system integrates well with Philadelphia’s transit options, offering connections to SEPTA and other local transit providers. Whether for work, tourism, or personal travel, NJ Transit buses deliver a convenient transportation solution across state lines, helping reduce congestion and providing an affordable option for many riders.
Traveling between New Jersey and Philadelphia by NJ Transit bus is straightforward. The buses serve major Philadelphia transit corridors such as Market Street, Broad Street, and Vine Street in the Center City area, ensuring accessibility to key parts of downtown. Riders can plan trips using the NJ Transit website, mobile app, or printed timetables. Tickets are required for travel and can be purchased through ticket vending machines at major terminals, online, via the mobile app, or onboard the bus (exact change is often required). NJ Transit also offers a variety of ticket options, including one-way fares, excursion tickets, and monthly passes to suit different travel needs.
NJ Transit buses are known for their smooth, regional connectivity, connecting Philadelphia to New Jersey communities like Camden, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mt. Holly, Sicklerville, and Atlantic City, among others. The system is appreciated for scheduled, reliable service focused on making cross-state commuting and leisure travel accessible to residents of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Booking Information and Ticketing
Travelers planning to use NJ Transit buses to and from Philadelphia have multiple ways to purchase tickets. Tickets are available directly on the NJ Transit Mobile App, which supports contactless payment for convenience and safety. Alternatively, riders can buy tickets at major bus terminals like Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station or at the Atlantic City Bus Terminal; these locations typically have Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) or staffed ticket windows to assist. Tickets can also be purchased on board the bus, though exact change in coins or $1 bills is required for most local bus routes.
NJ Transit provides different ticket options:
- One-way tickets: Valid for a single trip within the zones specified on the ticket; these tickets are non-refundable and have a 30-day expiration from the date of purchase.
- Bus Monthly Pass: Available to save up to 30% on daily commuting costs, allowing unlimited trips on NJ Transit buses for one calendar month within the pass’s zones. Passes come in intrastate, interstate (includes Philadelphia), and intracommuter versions.
- Excursion Tickets: Special round-trip tickets that offer discounts for longer trips, such as $23 for Atlantic City to Philadelphia round-trips. These are valid for 10 days from purchase and can be bought at major terminals or through the app.
Transfers are generally not needed if passengers use monthly passes. For those buying separate tickets, a transfer can sometimes be purchased to switch buses seamlessly.
NJ Transit Bus Routes Serving Philadelphia
Several NJ Transit bus routes connect Philadelphia with various New Jersey locations, mainly crossing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and making stops along Philadelphia’s key transit streets such as 6th, Market, Broad, and Vine Streets. The main bus routes relevant to Philadelphia and their destinations include:
- Route 551: Connects Philadelphia with the Atlantic City Bus Terminal and extends to other shore destinations like Ventnor, Margate, Brigantine, Ocean City, and Sea Isle City.
- Route 414: Provides service between Philadelphia and New Jersey towns such as Maple Shade, Merchantville, and Moorestown.
- Route 417: Connects Philadelphia with Cinnaminson, Delran, Mt. Holly, Pennsauken, and Willingboro. This route accepts Atlantic City Rail Line tickets as well.
- Route 555: Express service between Philadelphia and Sicklerville (Avandale Park & Ride), offering free parking for commuters.
- Routes 313/315: Year-round service from Philadelphia (JFK Boulevard at 30th Street Station) to Wildwood and Cape May, with local stops available in the city.
- Route 316: Seasonal summer service extending from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to Wildwood and Cape May with stops like Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood.
These routes provide vital links for daily commuters and also support leisure travel to popular New Jersey destinations.
Philadelphia Stations and Schedules
The primary Philadelphia stop for NJ Transit buses is located at the 30th Street Station complex, a major transportation hub integrating Amtrak, SEPTA, and NJ Transit services. The NJ Transit bus stops in Philadelphia are generally situated on JFK Boulevard and Market Street around the 30th Street Station area and along Center City corridors such as Market Street, Broad Street, and Vine Street, depending on the route.
Schedules for these routes vary by time of day and day of the week, with peak commuter hours typically offering more frequent service. Seasonal variations also apply to routes like 316 serving shore destinations. Schedules can be reviewed online on the NJ Transit website, through the NJ Transit mobile app, or by visiting major terminals for printed timetables. Riders are encouraged to check schedules before travel, especially on holidays or weekends, as times may be adjusted.
Contact and Additional Information
Organization Name: New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit)
Address: One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone Numbers:
- Customer Service: 973-275-5555 (available weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Lost and Found: 973-491-7119
Website: https://www.njtransit.com
Philadelphia Location & Map: Accessible via 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (hyperlink to location maps available on their site)
Specialty and Reputation
NJ Transit is widely recognized as the largest public transportation corporation in the United States, providing extensive bus, rail, and light rail transportation services primarily in New Jersey but extending services across state lines, including New York City and Philadelphia. The bus division is noted for providing reliable commuter and intercity bus service connecting New Jersey’s suburbs and cities with major metropolitan areas. Its cross-state routes, particularly those connecting to Philadelphia, are well-regarded for supporting both daily commuters traveling into the city and visitors accessing New Jersey’s shore communities and attractions.
NJ Transit is known for innovation in ticketing and service convenience, including the implementation of a mobile app for easy ticket purchases and real-time updates. It is also appreciated for integrated transit options, allowing commuters to connect seamlessly between modes such as bus, train, and light rail, fostering regional connectivity.