Jitney
Hudson County Jitney Guide:
Routes, Prices & How to Ride
Jitneys are the lifeblood of Hudson County transit. They have no official schedules and prices can change once in a while — the current fare is displayed inside the van, usually taped behind the driver or as a poster over the front cabin. This guide explains exactly how to ride them, where they go, and what they actually cost today.
HudPost · Hudson County, NJ ·
1. How Much Does the Jitney Cost?
The most common question people ask is: How much is the jitney? The truth is, prices change once in a while. The cost depends on the route, the private company driving the bus, and how far you go. You can always check the current fare displayed inside the van, usually taped behind the driver or as a poster over the front cabin.
Historically, people called them “dollar buses.” Today, a dollar will not get you very far. Here is the realistic pricing you should expect:
Typical Fares
- Local Trips (Inside Hudson County): Expect to pay between $2.00 and $3.00.
- Trips to New York City: Expect to pay between $3.00 and $4.00. (Most trips cost around $3.50).
2. Main Jitney Corridors
Jitneys do not follow winding neighborhood routes. Instead, they drive straight up and down the longest, busiest roads in Hudson County. Use the map below to discover exactly where the buses are running.
Kennedy Boulevard
This is the longest route. It runs from the bottom of Bayonne all the way up through Jersey City, Union City, and North Bergen.
Bergenline Avenue
The heart of North Hudson. These buses run heavily through Union City, West New York, Guttenberg, and North Bergen. They are famous for being fast and crowded.
Boulevard East
This route rides along the cliffs in Weehawken and West New York, offering views of the NYC skyline before heading into the Lincoln Tunnel.
Journal Square Hub
Many jitneys use the Journal Square Transportation Center in Jersey City as a main drop-off and pick-up point. It connects directly to the PATH train.
3. How to Ride a Jitney (Step-by-Step)
Riding a jitney can feel confusing the first time because it operates differently than a normal city bus. Follow these steps:
- Find a Bus Stop: Go to a regular bus stop on a busy street like Kennedy Blvd, Bergenline Ave, or Boulevard East. Jitneys use all the regular, official bus stops along the road.
- Check the Sign: Look closely at the small sign in the passenger window of the bus. It will say the final destination (like “New York,” “Journal Square,” or “Newport Mall”).
- Wave the Bus Down: Even though you are standing at a bus stop, you still need to wave your hand to flag the driver down so they know you want their specific bus.
- Take a Seat: Board the bus and find a seat. You do not pay when you get on.
- Call Your Stop: When you are about one block away from where you want to get off, yell out “Next stop!” Some buses also have a pull rope along the windows that will ring a bell. Want to fit in with the locals? Yell out “¡La próxima!” or “¡La parada!”
- Pay With Cash: Hand your cash to the driver as you exit the front door. Try to have exact change or small bills.
4. Schedules & Frequency
There are no printed schedules for jitney buses.
Instead of running on a clock, they run on demand. During morning and evening rush hours, buses come constantly. On major roads like Bergenline Avenue, you will rarely wait more than 2 to 5 minutes for a bus.
However, the chaos means they are less reliable late at night. If you are traveling after 11:00 PM: Bergenline Avenue buses run almost 24/7 and are your safest late-night bet. Routes like Boulevard East and Kennedy Boulevard drop off significantly after midnight, so it is smart to have a backup plan if you are out late.
5. Jitney vs. NJ Transit
Why do people take jitneys instead of the official NJ Transit buses?
NJ Transit is better if you prefer strict schedules, need to use a bus pass or app, or want a smoother, quieter ride.
6. Where Jitneys Go in NYC (And How to Get Back)
If you take a jitney from Hudson County into Manhattan, it will usually go to one of two places:
- Midtown (Port Authority area): Most buses going through the Lincoln Tunnel drop off near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, around 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.
- Washington Heights: Buses taking the George Washington Bridge usually drop off near the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Upper Manhattan.
How to Catch a Jitney BACK to New Jersey
7. Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
8. Frequently Asked Questions
While the most official name is Jitney Bus, locals use several terms:
Dollar Vans / Dollar Buses: From when the fare cost a single dollar.
Bergenline Vans: Named after the Bergenline Avenue corridor running through Union City, West New York, Guttenberg, and North Bergen.
Immy Vans: A term reflecting the immigrant families and working-class communities who both operate and rely on them daily.
Wawa: A Spanish and Caribbean term for bus widely used by locals throughout Hudson County.
A jitney bus in New Jersey is a privately operated commuter van or small bus that runs along fixed street corridors without published schedules. Riders pay cash when they exit and flag buses down at regular NJ Transit stops. They are most common in Hudson County, particularly along Kennedy Boulevard, Bergenline Avenue, and Boulevard East, and they have connected Hudson County residents to New York City and to each other for generations.
Local rides within Hudson County typically cost between $2.00 and $3.00. Rides into New York City typically cost between $3.00 and $4.00. Always check the fare notice posted inside the van — it is usually taped behind the driver’s seat.
No. You must pay with cash. Small bills are highly recommended — drivers often cannot break a $20.
No. Jitneys do not run on a fixed schedule. During the day on major corridors like Bergenline Avenue, buses typically arrive every 2 to 5 minutes. Late at night, especially after midnight, service becomes less frequent on all routes except Bergenline Avenue.
Yes. Tens of thousands of Hudson County residents use jitney buses safely every day. The main safety consideration is holding on firmly, as buses stop and start quickly in heavy traffic.
On Bergenline Avenue, buses often run past midnight and in some periods nearly around the clock. Kennedy Boulevard and Boulevard East routes become significantly less frequent after midnight. Because jitneys are privately operated, later hours always mean fewer buses.
Yes. Jitney service runs along Kennedy Boulevard through Bayonne, connecting residents to Jersey City, Journal Square, and points north. A local ride from Bayonne typically costs between $2.00 and $3.00.
From Midtown Manhattan, do not enter the Port Authority Bus Terminal gates. Jitneys line up outside on the north side of 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Both the Bergenline and Boulevard East buses use this same street pickup spot, so always check the destination sign in the window before boarding.
NJ Transit is a publicly funded state agency with fixed schedules that accepts transit passes and apps. Jitneys are privately operated, run without schedules, accept cash only, and typically run more frequently on their corridors. Jitneys are generally faster and cheaper for short local trips but do not connect to the broader statewide transit network.
