No matter if you are from the outer boroughs, the heart of Manhattan, or the surrounding Long Island and New Jersey areas traveling in and around the NYC area needs planning — especially when public transportation is involved. City Guide has an exclusive guide for you all about city transport. Keep reading to see how to hack the system like a professional.
The NYC bus system is just as elaborate as the trains and subways’ makeup.
For starter, starting on August 19th, Staten Island is having a new bus system filled with new routes, name changes and more. There will be more peak service buses between 5-9AM and 3-7PM. Click here to get more info on changes. http://nymta.civicconnect.com/content/together-let’s-make-commuting-faster-staten-island-express-bus-riders
Each borough has their own MTA Bus system. Every pro-bus rider has each of the borough webpages saved. Click here for Bronx,Brooklyn, Manhattan,Queens, and Staten Island.
Know the difference between the buses. Each borough has the first initial of their name before the number of the bus.
Before arriving at the station make sure to check delays, planned detours, and service changes because just like the train there can be delays.
The NJ transit, like the train, has a system for tickets that you can purchase, including one-way, ten-trip, and monthly passes. When buying a monthly bus pass, you save 30% off of your commute each day. Make sure to get an interstate pass to be able to make the commute into NYC as well as local Jersey trips. Remember that in NJ there is a transfer fee if you need to switch buses, plan accordingly if required. Some buses require payment onboard that is exact change and others are allowed to make change but cannot accept bills over $20. Please check to see which line you are taking before arriving.
With that, they also offer the Hudson Go Pass which is a ticket that combines Bus, Light Rail, and NY Waterway travel. There is a monthly or ten tip option available. This ticket can be purchased in the ticket machines of any Hudson line light rail stop.
If you want to find out how to navigate other transit systems like a pro click here for Rail Road and here for the MTA Subway!
