New NJ Transit data shows buses even later than suspected
AUGUST 21, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
For years, commuters have complained that NJ Transit buses run late. The evidence was flimsy, however, because data released by the agency tracked only buses departing major terminals. At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, for example, the vast majority of buses — 86 percent — leave on time, according to NJ Transit’s figures from June.
On Wednesday, NJ Transit released far more detailed data, looking not just at when buses start their routes, but also when they arrive at their scheduled stops.
Just as many commuters suspected, the system’s on-time performance is much worse than previously reported. NJ Transit buses arrive on time for their scheduled stops just 68 percent of the time, according to data released at a meeting on NJ Transit customer service. By the agency’s definition, an “on-time” arrival falls within a seven-minute window, starting one minute before the scheduled arrival time and arriving up to six minutes late.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-state-news/nj-transit-data-on-bus-service-confirm-worst-suspicions-1.1070833#sthash.UT3Uh3Nq.dpuf
NJ Transit THE WAY NOT TO GO.
I take the bus every day. The late leaving NYC is a real issue.
The late to stops is a harder question. The problem is that NJT has to use the ideal times as the arrivals because the bus can’t leave stations early in case people want to get on at that stop. In other words if the 5:30 bus usually gets to VanNess at 6:15 it is appropriate to list the departure from VanNess as 6:10 because on the occasion when there is no traffic it gets there early. Regular riders know what time the bus will really arrive.
The departure stats are much more accurate. This summer has been a disaster but generally the buses run pretty well out of NYC, especially the super express 163P and 164X.