Transportation (Public Transit) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3037: Requires NJT to expand or modify routes and hours of certain transportation services and to solicit input from individuals diagnosed with autism.

This bill (A 3037) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to adjust routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year to better meet the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from individuals with autism and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates that NJT annually gather this input to assess whether current service adjustments are sufficient or if further changes are needed. It directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder by aiming to improve their access to public transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2460: Requires NJT to offer discount fares to certain individuals.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to offer discounted fares on tickets or passes for specific groups: K-12 students commuting to school, full-time college/university students, participants in workforce training programs, individuals receiving Work First New Jersey benefits, and newly employed residents meeting strict criteria (e.g., starting at minimum wage, working 20+ hours/week, unemployed 30+ days prior). The discounts apply to all NJT services, including buses, trains, and light rail. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill directly affects eligible students, trainees, low-income recipients, and new workers seeking affordable transit access.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3940: Permits municipalities to require developers to make contributions for mass transit improvements.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to require developers to contribute to the cost of off-tract mass transit improvements (like bus stops or rail access) that are necessitated by new construction, similar to existing rules for streets and utilities. It directly affects developers building in municipalities that adopt such regulations, requiring them to pay a fair, pro-rata share based on municipal plans. Key provisions include mandating consultation with mass transit agencies when creating these regulations and giving developers one year to challenge the payment amount legally. The change updates current law, which previously only permitted contributions for street, water, sewer, and drainage improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2037: Provides supplemental transportation aid to certain districts participating in interdistrict public school choice program.

This bill requires certain New Jersey school districts (specifically those in second-class cities ordered by the Supreme Court to address segregation) to provide transportation - such as bus services or equivalent assistance - to elementary students living more than 2 miles and secondary students living more than 2.5 miles from their chosen school. Sending districts (the districts students attend from) receive state transportation funding, which they must pay directly to the choice district. If the choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed this state funding, it can receive supplemental state aid after demonstrating cost-efficient routing (like centralized pick-ups). The choice district must annually report cost differences to the Department of Education for reimbursement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Choice School Transportation Public Transit Transportation Funding

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4479: Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation.

This bill requires school bus drivers and personnel to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though exact features aren't detailed in the text). The bill also requires annual safety training for all bus personnel, including emergency procedures and recognizing signs of life-threatening situations for students with disabilities. Funding for these requirements is included through an appropriation. The bill directly affects school bus operators, drivers, aides, and students with disabilities in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Safety School Transportation Public Transit Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2006: Requires school bus drivers to retake certain knowledge and skills tests.

This 2006 New Jersey bill requires school bus drivers with current endorsements to retake both knowledge and skills tests every five years to maintain their qualification. Drivers aged 70 or older must retake these tests annually instead of every five years. The law applies only to drivers already holding school bus endorsements, not to new applicants. It updates renewal requirements for school bus driving qualifications under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3355: Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

This bill revises the mandatory school transportation requirement for preschool through fourth-grade students in New Jersey. It changes the current 1.5-mile distance limit (where school districts must provide bus transportation) to a new, unspecified threshold. The policy directly affects families with young children living beyond the revised distance from their public school. School districts would no longer be required to provide transportation for students living within this new limit, shifting responsibility to families for those living closer. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the mileage threshold for transportation eligibility, without altering costs or other provisions.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Transportation Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 3887: Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems; establishes certain enforcement procedures and penalties for certain violations captured by school bus monitoring systems.

This bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2976: Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide bus transportation to public and nonpublic school students living within the standard distance limits (2 miles for elementary, 2.5 miles for secondary) but along routes designated as "hazardous" by the state. It establishes a process where the state transportation official, with input from police and education leaders, defines and designates hazardous routes based on specific safety criteria like traffic volume, road conditions, and pedestrian infrastructure. School districts must then provide transportation for students on these designated routes, and the state will annually review route designations to ensure they remain accurate. The policy directly affects students living near unsafe walking paths and school districts responsible for providing this transportation.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Public Transit Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1601: Authorizes schools to administer commercial driver license exam and other motor vehicle services for school bus drivers.

This bill (A 1601) allows school districts in New Jersey to administer certain motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers at school facilities, including knowledge tests, manual provision, ID verification, fee processing, and endorsement applications. It directly affects school districts and individuals seeking school bus driver licenses, as it streamlines the process by reducing the need to travel to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. Key provisions require the MVC to establish rules for this program, mandate coordination with school districts, and specify that schools cannot administer the required road test. The bill does not change licensing standards but makes initial steps toward obtaining a school bus driver license more accessible through schools.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Roads & Highways

All transportation bills