Rutgers Campus Buses

Rutgers Campus Buses are a zero-fare bus service used by students at Rutgers University campuses. It is the second-largest bus service in New Jersey after NJ Transit, and one of the largest university bus systems in the United States. Service is provided by Transdev year-round, including weekends and holidays. Late night shuttle service for students is provided by Rutgers Department of Transportation Services (known as the "Knight Mover") when the New Brunswick campus transit system is not in service.[1] Football and other event shuttles are operated by Academy Bus Lines.

Rutgers Campus Buses
Rutgers Bus #4053 on Route LX
Founded1961
LocaleRutgers University
Service areaNew Brunswick/Piscataway, Newark, and Camden
Service typeUniversity bus system
Routes12 (New Brunswick); 4 (Newark); 1 (Camden)
Fleet92 (71 buses & 21 cutaways)
Daily ridership70,000 (daily); 6 million (annually)
Fuel typeDiesel
Gasoline (Ford cutaways)
OperatorTransdev
Chief executiveHenry X. Velez
Assistant DirectorJohn Karakoglou
WebsiteRutgers Campus Buses

History

From July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2011, Rutgers New Brunswick Campus bus service was provided by Academy Bus Lines. Prior to that, Suburban Transit was the operator.[2]

Rutgers began to install new bus shelters in the summer of 2010. The new shelters incorporate red roofs to cast a red tone on the sidewalk, showcasing university colors.

Director Jack Molenaar announced that the L route would be discontinued due to budget cuts, effective 28 August 2010. Molenaar called the bus a "relic" and said it was "slowest and most underutilized" of the bus routes.[3] There was significant opposition to the move, especially from graduate students and Highland Park residents who had already made housing arrangements expecting the bus to be there. After 600 people signed an online petition calling for its reinstitution,[4][5] a temporary LXc route was created for the 2010-11 school year, stopping at Cedar Lane every 30 minutes.[6] A second bus was later added to shorten wait times to 15 minutes. In addition, the three weekend buses (A, EE, L) were reorganized into two all campus loop buses (Weekend 1 and Weekend 2).

On October 21, 2010, First Transit was awarded a 5-year contract with an option to extend up to 15 years for the operation of New Brunswick Campus shuttle system.[7] The main reason cited for the switch is cost. First Transit will refurbish existing buses and supply new ones for a total of 50 buses featured automatic stop announcements, whereas now drivers may or may not announce stops.[8][9]

On December 10, 2010, Academy filed a lawsuit against the University over the loss of the contract.[10][11] Despite the loss of shuttle operations, the company continues to provide the chartered bus operations used for tours and football games.

First Transit expanded their bus service to the Newark Campus beginning September 1, 2014; to Camden Campus since September 1, 2019.[12] The new Rutgers-logo fleet of buses utilize the NextBus system and real-time status is available via the official Rutgers app. In 2018, Rutgers replaced the NextBus system with TransLoc.[13] After Transdev completed the acquisition of First Transit on March 7, 2023, all current First Transit contracts were transferred to Transdev.[14] Starting August 2, 2023, Rutgers replaced TransLoc with Passio Go! as the new tracker for Rutgers buses.[13]

Alternative plans

Several times over the past decade, it has been suggested that the bus system be partially or fully replaced with bus rapid transit (BRT), monorail, or light rail.[15][16] Closing College Avenue to non-bus motor vehicle traffic was also proposed, but indefinitely canceled in February 2010, due to excessive costs.[17] Current plans are for incorporating the Rutgers bus system into the proposed New Brunswick Bus Rapid Transit, which would be centered on the New Brunswick Station near the intersection of Route 18 and Route 27.[18][19]

Routes

New Brunswick Campus
Rutgers New Brunswick Bus System Map - Weekdays - Fall 2022

There are currently 10 routes on weekdays, 2 routes on weekends, and 1 route on holidays for New Brunswick campus.

Weekday routes

As of Spring 2023.

Name Route Stops Hours of Operation
A College Avenue/Busch College Avenue Student Center → The Yard → Student Activities Center → Stadium West Lot → Hill Center (North) → Science Buildings → Busch Student Center → Werblin Recreation Center [20] 7:00AM–9:20PM (Mon-Fri)
B Livingston/Busch Livingston Student Center → Quads → Hill Center (North) → Science Buildings → Busch Student Center → Livingston Plaza [21] 7:00AM–10:40PM (Mon-Fri)
B-He Livingston/Busch Livingston Student Center → Quads → Busch-Livingston Health Center → Busch Student Center → Allison Road Classroom Building → Hill Center (South) → Livingston Plaza [22] 6:00AM–2:25AM (Mon-Fri)
C Busch Commuter Loop Stadium West Lot → Hill Center (North) → Allison Road Classroom Building → Hill Center (South) [23] 7:30AM–10:00PM (Mon-Thurs)

7:30AM–7:30PM (Fri)

EE College Avenue/Douglass-Cook
via George Street		 College Avenue Student Center → The Yard → SoCam Apartments (SB) → Red Oak Lane → Lipman Hall → Biel Road → Henderson Apartments → Gibbons → College Hall → SoCam Apartments (NB) → Student Activities Center [24] 6:00AM–2:54AM (Mon-Wed)

6:00AM–3:41AM (Thurs-Fri)

F College Avenue/Douglass Express

via Route 18

 Red Oak Lane → Lipman Hall → College Hall → Student Activities Center → The Yard [25] 7:00AM–9:24PM (Mon-Fri)
H College Avenue/Busch College Avenue Student Center → The Yard → Student Activities Center → Werblin Recreation Center → Busch Student Center → Allison Road Classroom Building → Hill Center (South) → Stadium West Lot [26] 6:00AM–3:16AM (Mon-Wed)

6:00AM–4:00AM (Thurs-Fri)

LX College Avenue/Livingston Express College Avenue Student Center → The Yard → Student Activities Center → Livingston Plaza → Livingston Student Center → Quads [27] 6:00AM–2:46AM (Mon-Wed)

6:00AM–3:46AM (Thurs-Fri)

REXB Douglass/Busch Red Oak Lane → Lipman Hall → College Hall → Hill Center (North) → Allison Road Classroom Building → Hill Center (South) [28] 7:00AM–11:18PM (Mon-Fri)
REXL Douglass/Livingston Red Oak Lane → Lipman Hall → College Hall → Livingston Plaza → Livingston Student Center [29] 7:00AM–11:22PM (Mon-Fri)
Knight Mover operated by RUDOTS

The Knight Mover operates when weekday buses stop running; it runs Monday through Thursday from 3:00AM to 6:00AM.[1]

Weekends and Breaks

In spring 2021, a variation of the weekend routes were introduced. They are essentially an express version of the regular weekend routes, stopping only at the stops served by the color routes on each campus. In fall 2021, a revised version of previous Letter Routes with redundant stops eliminated was introduced. Weekend Routes were also based on revised Letter Routes.

Name Route Hours of Operation Notes
Weekend 1 College Ave → Busch → Livingston → Douglass-Cook 4:00AM–6:00AM (FRI)

4:00AM (SAT)-3:00AM (MON)
  • Known as Summer 1 during summer break, Winter Break 1 during winter break, and Spring Break 1 during spring break.
Weekend 2 College Ave → Douglass-Cook → Livingston → Busch 4:00AM–6:00AM (FRI)

4:00AM (SAT)-3:00AM (MON)
  • Known as Summer 2 during summer break, Winter Break 2 during winter break, and Spring Break 2 during spring break.
All Campuses College Ave → Busch → Livingston → Douglass-Cook 10:00AM–7:00PM
  • Identical to the Weekend 1 route, operates on weekends during breaks and during holidays (Thanksgiving, Holiday Recess, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July).

Special event shuttles

Buses for the following routes are not trackable.

Name Route Notes
Campus Tour Visitor Center → Werblin Recreation Center → Livingston Student Center → College Avenue Student Center → Biel Road → Gibbons
Commencement Shuttle Jersey Mike's Arena → Busch Practice Bubble
College Avenue Student Center → New Brunswick Train Station (Albany St) → Lot 48 (Busch Campus)
  • Operated by Academy Express
Convocation Shuttle Busch Campus pickup: Busch Student Center → Green Lot; Busch Campus return: Lot 101 → Busch Student Center
College Avenue Campus pickup: College Avenue Student Center → Green Lot; College Avenue Campus return: Lot 101 → College Avenue Student Center
Douglass/Cook Campuses pickup: Biel Road → Green Lot; Douglass/Cook Campuses return: Livingston Student Center → Biel Road
Football Shuttle Jersey Mike's Arena → Busch Practice Bubble
  • Operated by Transdev & Rutgers Department of Transportation
College Avenue Student Center → New Brunswick Train Station (Albany St) → Johnson Park
  • Operated by Academy Express
Red Oak Lane → Biel Road → Johnson Park
  • Operated by Academy Express
New Student Orientation Livingston Student Center → College Avenue Student Center → Gibbons → Werblin Recreation Center
Open House Day Shuttle Visitor Center → Livingston Student Center → College Avenue Student Center → Gibbons
Rutgers Day Shuttle Busch Student Center → Lot 48 Far → Student Activities Center SB → Zimmerli Art Museum SB → SoCam Apt SB → Douglass Student Center → George Street Northbound at Liberty Street → Zimmerli Art Museum NB → Student Activities Center NB → Lot 48 Near
Shopping Shuttle Bevier Road (Busch Campus) → ShopRite → Walmart → Kam Man Food
  • Operated by Rutgers Department of Transportation
  • Open to students with slightly different routes on select dates throughout the semester
Social Security Shuttle College Avenue Student Center → Social Security Administration (550 Jersey Ave #200)
  • Operated by Transdev
  • Available by appointment via Rutgers Global
Color Routes

In fall 2020, 6 Color Routes were introduced to help with social distancing on Rutgers buses due to COVID-19. They were based on regular intercampus routes, but featured less stops to reduce students traveling time on bus. These routes were implemented on August 26, 2020. However, due to low ridership, these routes were discontinued after October 2, 2020 and weekend routes were used until the end of Spring 2021 semester. In early 2021, Color Routes were planned to continue in fall 2021. However, this plan was scrapped in summer 2021, and Letter Routes were brought back for Fall 2021 with slight modifications.[30]

Rutgers New Brunswick Color Routes (Fall 2020)
Name Route Notes
Purple (PRL) College Avenue/Busch
Blue (BLU) Livingston/Busch
  • One bus designated as Blue-He (BLU/H) stops at the Busch-Livingston Health Center.
Scarlet (SCR) College Avenue/Douglass
via George Street
Orange (ORG) College Avenue/Livingston
Green (GRN) Douglass/Livingston
Yellow (YLW) Douglass/Busch
Shuttles
Name Route Hours of Operation Notes
Douglass Library Shuttle Mabel Smith Douglass Library to residence halls on Cook/Douglass Campus upon request 10:00PM-2:00AM
  • Operated on weekdays during the academic year only.
  • Operated by Rutgers Department of Transportation.
  • Discontinued after March 11, 2020.
New BrunsQuick 1 Shuttle College Ave/New Brunswick Train Station
via select stops in New Brunswick		 6:00AM–11:00PM
  • Operated on weekdays during the academic year and during summer.
  • Operated by First Transit.
  • Discontinued after April 24, 2020.
New BrunsQuick 2 Shuttle College Ave/New Brunswick Train Station
via select stops in New Brunswick		 6:30AM–10:00PM
  • Operated on weekdays during the academic year only.
  • Operated by First Transit.
  • Runs roughly the same route as New BrunsQuick Shuttle 1, but in the opposite direction.
  • Discontinued after March 11, 2020.
RBHS Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/
Clinical Academic Building		 5:00AM–11:00PM
  • Operated on weekdays during the academic year and during summer.
  • Operated by First Transit.
  • Discontinued after March 11, 2020.
Routes Operated Under Previous Contractors

The majority of the below routes ran throughout the late 20th Century as alternative variants or service patterns of the current routes.

Name Route Notes
AX College Avenue Express/ARC Building (Busch)
  • Ran for the 2000-01 school year as a test-run replacement for the A to expedite travel between Busch classes, and College Avenue for commuters.
  • Reverted back to the A the following year.
CA College Avenue/Stadium Lot West (Busch)
  • Ran as a shuttle from the Rutgers Stadium parking lot during the 1997-98 school year to help alleviate commuter congestion on College Avenue.
  • Replaced by rerouted A and H buses the next term.
D College Avenue/Livingston
via Highland Park
  • Operated as a local version of the former L route, which it was later replaced by circa 1990.
E College Avenue / Douglass–Cook
via George Street
  • Former local variant of the EE which originally made less stops via Downtown.
  • Eventually dissolved into the current EE by the mid-1990s.
G Busch/Douglass-Cook
via Livingston
  • Service ran until May 2005 when Route 18 reconstruction predicted to slow down service.
  • Eventually reincarnated into the current REXB by the middle of September 2005.
GG Livingston/Douglass-Cook
via Highland Park
  • Service ran until May 2005 when Route 18 reconstruction predicted to slow down service.
  • Eventually reincarnated into the current REXL by the middle of September 2005.
L College Avenue/Livingston
  • Originally an express variant of the D, service replaced it by the mid-1990s with the introduction of the LX.
  • Eliminated in 2010 due to low ridership.
LXc College Avenue/Livingston
via Cedar Lane
  • Temporary version of the LX for the 2010-11 school year after complaints by students and staff who settled into places within the Highland Park region prior to the late-onset elimination of the L.
  • Did not return after Spring 2011.

Newark Campus
Rutgers Newark Bus System Map - Weekdays - Fall 2022

There are currently 4 routes on weekdays and 1 night service running seven nights a week for Newark campus.[31]

Weekday routes
Name Stops Hours of Operation
Campus Connect Boyden Hall → NJIT → New Street Lot → ICPH → Bergen Building → Medical School →
ECC → Washington Park → Broad St → University North → Physical Plant		 7:00AM–11:30PM
Campus Connect Express Boyden Hall → Medical School → CLJ → Washington Park 9:05AM–3:25PM
Newark Penn Station Local Penn Station → Medical School → University Hospital → Bergen Building (after 7pm only) →
Dental School → 180 W. Market St. → ICPH → Blumenthal Hall		 6:45AM–12:15AM
Newark Penn Station Express Penn Station → Medical School → University Hospital 7:00AM–10:00AM
3:00PM–7:00PM

The Newark Penn Station Midnight Express Security Shuttle operates between 12:00AM and 4:00AM every day, providing transportation between Newark Penn Station and the Rutgers Newark Campus via Boyden Hall.

Former routes
Name Hours of Operation Notes
Newark Kearny 3:00PM–12:00AM
  • Discontinued after February 26, 2021.[32]
Newark Run Run 7:00AM–12:00AM
  • Intracampus shuttle that ran seven days a week (excluding holidays), stopping at Boyden Hall, Golden Dome, CLJ (Rutgers Law), 15 Washington, Broad St. Station, Physical Plant, and Newark Penn Station (morning/evening only).
  • Discontinued since Fall 2020.
Newark Run Run Express 7:00AM–10:00AM
3:00PM–7:00PM
  • Express version of Newark Run Run, stopping at Boyden Hall, CLJ, Washington Park, Broad St, and Physical Plant.
  • Discontinued since Fall 2020.

Camden Campus
Rutgers Camden Bus System Map - Weekdays - Fall 2022

Bus routes for Camden campus only operate on weekdays.

Name Stops Hours of Operation
Camden Shuttle

City Lot 15 → City Lot 16 → Law School → Nursing & Science Building →
Joint Health Sciences Center → Business & Science Building [33]

 7:00AM–10:00PM

Fleet

Current Fleet
Fleet number(s) Photo Model Year Manufacturer Model Powertrain Campus Notes
201-205,

1001-1002, 1004, 1006-1007, 1011-1012

 2010 ElDorado National Axess 40' New Brunswick
3255, 3260, 3265, 3278, 3282, 3367, 3370, 3372, 4907, 4909-4910, 7366 2013-2014 Freightliner
Champion Defender		 M2 106 35'
4032-4041 2023 ENC Axess BRT 40'
  • Entered service in February-April 2023.
4050-4053 2014 ElDorado National
4126-4130
(2nd)		 2023 ENC
  • Delivered in September 2023; not yet in service.
4127-4133 2015 ElDorado National Newark
  • Entered service in July 2015.
4176-4213 2011 New Brunswick
  • Entered service in July 2011.
5584, 5586, 5594 2019 Ford E-450 Camden
  • Entered service in February 2020.
8385-8386, 8388, 8391, 8401, 8415 2019 Ford E-450 Newark
  • Entered service in April 2019.

[34][35]

On Order

As of October 2021, a multi-year order of diesel ENC Axess BRT 40' buses has been placed to replace the current ElDorado and New Flyer buses. These buses will feature same paint scheme as 202-203 and 205, with all aisle-facing seating (35 seats total), 8 sets of dual USB power ports on seatings & rear deck. All buses in this order are owned by Rutgers University and operated by Transdev.

Fleet number(s) Photo Year Manufacturer Model Powertrain Campus Notes
TBD
(5 buses)		 2024 ENC Axess BRT 40' New Brunswick
TBD
(5 buses)		 2025


  • 2010 ElDorado Axess #1002 - Route A
    2010 ElDorado Axess #1002 - Route A
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF #1495 - Route B/He
    2007 New Flyer D40LF #1495 - Route B/He
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF #1496 - Route B
    2007 New Flyer D40LF #1496 - Route B
  • 2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4186 - Route C
    2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4186 - Route C
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF #1493 - Route EE
    2007 New Flyer D40LF #1493 - Route EE
  • 2010 ElDorado Axess #1011 Route F
    2010 ElDorado Axess #1011 Route F
  • 2010 ElDorado Axess #201 - Route H
    2010 ElDorado Axess #201 - Route H
  • 2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4190 - Route LX
    2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4190 - Route LX
  • 2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4194 - Route REXB
    2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4194 - Route REXB
  • 2014 ElDorado Axess BRT #4053 - Route REXL
    2014 ElDorado Axess BRT #4053 - Route REXL
  • 2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4181 - Route All Campuses
    2011 ElDorado Axess BRT #4181 - Route All Campuses
  • 2015 ElDorado Axess BRT #4132 - Route Penn Station Express
    2015 ElDorado Axess BRT #4132 - Route Penn Station Express
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF #1510 - Route Summer 2
    2007 New Flyer D40LF #1510 - Route Summer 2
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF #1504 - Route Winter Break 1
    2007 New Flyer D40LF #1504 - Route Winter Break 1
  • 2007 New Flyer D40LF interior (35 seats)
    2007 New Flyer D40LF interior (35 seats)
  • 2010 ElDorado Axess interior (35 seats)
    2010 ElDorado Axess interior (35 seats)
  • 2010 ElDorado Axess interior (37 seats)
    2010 ElDorado Axess interior (37 seats)
  • 2014 ElDorado Axess BRT interior (39 seats)
    2014 ElDorado Axess BRT interior (39 seats)
  • 2015 ElDorado E-Z Rider II BRT interior (30 seats)
    2015 ElDorado E-Z Rider II BRT interior (30 seats)
  • 2015 ElDorado Axess BRT interior (39 seats)
    2015 ElDorado Axess BRT interior (39 seats)
  • 2023 ENC Axess BRT interior (35 seats)
    2023 ENC Axess BRT interior (35 seats)

References
  1. "New Brunswick Campus Buses/Shuttle Service | Institutional Planning and Operations". ipo.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  2. Bigelow, Pete (1999-09-23). "On a bus to nowhere, with no time to spare". The Central New Jersey Home News.
  3. Kypers, Neil P. (20 August 2010). "Campus bus route changes to increase service". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  4. "Save the L Bus". Facebook. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  5. "Save the L Bus". Wordpress. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  6. Roache, Colleen (6 September 2010). "New LXc bus route frustrates students". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 10 September 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  7. "Rutgers selects First Transit as bus operator". Metro Magazine. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  8. Roache, Colleen (5 November 2010). "University to lower costs with new bus company". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  9. Stokes, Timothy (2 November 2010). "First Transit Named Campus Bus Service Operator for Rutgers University". First Transit. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  10. "Academy Bus of Hoboken sues Rutgers University". NJ.com. Associated Press. 15 December 2010.
  11. Malwitz, Rick (13 December 2010). "Contractor sues Rutgers over loss of bus contract". MyCentralJersey.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012.
  12. "Department of Transportation Services". Retrieved 6 September 2014. Starting Monday September 1st a new transit system will provide enhanced service while meeting the daily transportation needs of all students, faculty and staff of Rutgers University – Newark and RBHS, as well as NJIT, Essex County College (ECC) and University Hospital (UH).
  13. Isaacs, Uriel (August 28, 2023). "U. unveils new bus tracking app for campus fleet". The Daily Targum. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. "Transdev Completes Acquisition of First Transit to Become Leading Private Operator of Transportation in the U.S." (News release). Transdev. March 7, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  15. Godfrey, Greg J. M. (29 September 2001). "Say goodbye to the future". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  16. Murphy, Austin (22 November 2002). "Light railway, busway no help". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  17. Roache, Colleen (17 February 2010). "U. trims back plans for greening project". The Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  18. "Greater New Brunswick Are Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). NJTPA. May 2008. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  19. "A New Face of TOD: Bus Rapid Transit". Voorhees Transportation Institute. January 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  20. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  21. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  22. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  23. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  24. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  25. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  26. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  27. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  28. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  29. "Bus Route Descriptions and Schedules". Rutgers IPO. Rutgers University. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  30. "Rutgers University-New Brunswick Campus Buses | Institutional Planning and Operations".
  31. "Newark Campus Buses | Institutional Planning and Operations".
  32. "Rutgers University-Newark Campus Buses | Institutional Planning and Operations".
  33. "Rutgers Camden Shuttle Bus | Institutional Planning and Operations".
  34. "Department of Transportation Services | Institutional Planning and Operations".
  35. https://rutgers.transloc.com/
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