JACKSON — Commuters to New York City received an upgrade in service from Academy Bus on Sept. 6 when the bus company expanded the number of stops its buses make along Route 526.
Prior to arriving at the Jackson Park and Ride facility, the bus that is heading to the PortAuthority in Manhattan will now make stops at the corner of Route 526 and South New Prospect Road, Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive, Bartley Road, Harmony Road, Huntington Drive and across from the Stop & Shop on West County Line Road.
“Academy Bus has already established a significant presence throughout the area,” Academy Bus marketing manager Greg Rhodes said. “We are pleased to be building on that service and expanding our reach to these locations, many for the first time.”
With the additional service already implemented, Rhodes said the company will “adjust [the] service going forward based on several factors, including ridership.”
The increase in service in Jackson is in conjunction with increases in service in neighboring Manchester and Lakehurst, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst.
“Manchester, Lakehurst and Jackson were chosen because they were an extension of the existing service from the Jackson Park and Ride and because they fit an overall criteria, including travel time from Manhattan that was feasible,” Rhodes said.
Funding for the increase in service comes from a grant from the Federal Transit Administration that is designed to promote intercity travel.
“This expansion provides underserved residents of these communities with more options and service availability to Manhattan and significant points in between,” Rhodes said.