NJ Transit upgrades bus tracking technology, adds free Wi-Fi to more than 1,500 buses
NEW JERSEY — NJ Transit is upgrading real-time tracking technology across its bus fleet and providing free onboard Wi-Fi on more than 1,500 buses statewide, with the technology expected to expand to nearly 2,000 buses by the end of the year.
The agency announced Wednesday that upgraded computer equipment and antennas are providing more accurate real-time bus location data, which is being used to improve arrival predictions for customers.
“New Jerseyans rely on NJ TRANSIT to get to work, school, appointments, and everywhere else life takes them, and we should be doing everything we can to make those trips easier,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said. “By upgrading real-time bus tracking and providing free Wi-Fi for customers, we’re making NJ TRANSIT work better for the people who rely on it every day.”
NJDOT Commissioner and NJ Transit Chair Priya Jain said the upgrades are intended to make bus travel more convenient while modernizing the technology supporting the system.
“Offering free Wi-Fi, service updates, and real-time arrival information will make bus travel more convenient for our customers while modernizing the technology that supports our operations,” Jain said. “I appreciate Governor Sherrill’s leadership and the sense of urgency fostered by the Rapid Action Plan which is helping deliver lasting improvements for customers across New Jersey.”
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri said the accuracy of arrival predictions in the agency’s app has increased from 74% to 86%.
“Customers want to know where their bus is and when it will arrive, and arrival predictions in our app have improved from 74 percent to 86 percent accuracy,” Kolluri said. “With the introduction of free Wi-Fi on more than 1,500 buses today, and nearly 2,000 by the end of the year, we’re also delivering a ride that becomes more productive for our bus customers.”
NJ Transit has retrofitted more than 1,300 buses with the new hardware and free Wi-Fi, while new buses entering the fleet already include the upgraded equipment.
More than 1,900 buses are expected to have the technology by the end of 2026, representing more than 80% of NJ Transit’s 2,373-bus fleet. The remaining buses are slated for retirement, with their replacements expected to have the technology installed when manufactured.
The free Wi-Fi project is funded through a $15 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund.
Buses offering the service are marked with a sticker near the entrance. Customers can connect by selecting NJTRANSITWIFI from their device’s available wireless networks and accepting the connection terms.
NJ Transit is also working with transit technology company Swiftly to improve real-time bus arrival predictions. Beginning in October, the enhanced predictions are expected to appear on the NJ Transit website, mobile app, station signage and third-party applications.
The agency is also testing digital bus stop signs that display real-time arrival information.
Five signs from infrastructure provider BusPas have been installed in Hoboken, Union City and Jersey City. The signs provide information about arrivals, detours, delays, service alerts and bus occupancy levels. They are solar-powered and use e-paper displays and include text-to-speech capabilities and automated safety lighting.
A similar pilot with Urban Solar is underway in Manalapan and Howell townships in Monmouth County.
The digital signs are located at:
- Hoboken: 15th Street and Willow Avenue; Ninth Street and Washington Street.
- Union City: 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue; 31st Street at JFK Boulevard.
- Jersey City: Congress Street at Palisades Avenue.
- Manalapan Township: Route 9 north at Gordon’s Corner Road, with two signs at the location.
- Howell Township: Aldrich Road Park and Ride at Route 9 north and Aldrich Road.
The projects are part of NJ Transit’s Bus Fleet Modernization initiative, which calls for a fully modernized bus fleet by 2031.
