Academy Bus Lines is a bus company in New Jersey providing local bus services in northern New Jersey, line-run services to/from New York City from points in southern and central New Jersey, and contract and charter service in the eastern United States from Boston to Miami. In 2014, Academy acquired Go Buses, which currently operates bus service between Boston and Washington, D.C., and in southern Florida. On September 27, 2023, Academy acquired James River Transportation, which operates in Virginia. Academy is the third-largest motorcoach operator in the United States and Canada.
Academy's fleet consists of a variety of motor coaches, including MCI D4500 (in the process of being retired), MCI J4500, Van Hool CX35, Van Hool CX45, Van Hool C2045 motorcoaches, and Mercedes Tourrider coaches which are used for commuter and charter services. ENC Eldorado, Nova Bus LFS, Gillig, and New Flyer Industries low floor buses are used for university contracts and charters, such as Columbia Transportation. Services operated under contract to New Jersey Transit use NJT-owned (and branded) North American Bus Industries buses.
Routes
Under contract to NJ Transit Under contract to New Jersey Transit (NJT), Academy Bus operates the following routes using NJT-owned equipment. Routes are listed by county.New Jersey Transit - Bus NJT did not renew its contract with Academy for Hudson and Middlesex Counties following a fraud settlement with Academy.
Current County Garage RoutesEquipmentNotesMonmouth CountyToms River2017-2020 MCI D4500CTOperates alongside NJ Transit during peak hours. Route 132 is now the 139E (139 Englishtown)Ocean CountyBergen County and Passaic CountyHackensack702, 705, 707, 709, 722, 744, 746, 748, 751, 752, 753, 755, 756, 758, 762, 772, 7802012 NABI 416.15Was originally operated by CoachUSA Community Coach until they became bankrupt. Routes were transferred to Academy Bus on August 17, 2024.
Former CountyGarageRoutesEquipmentNotesHudson CountyHoboken2012 NABI 416.15Service was taken over by Coach USA Elizabeth (ONE Bus) in June 2021. NJT took over these routes in 2022 and 2024.Middlesex CountyPerth AmboyService was taken over by Coach USA Suburban Trails in January 2021.Hudson CountyHoboken242008-2013 NABI 416.15Operated alongside NJ Transit, until NJT had enough operators. Academy temporarily operated from October to December 2023.
Other contract operations Under contract to Rutgers University, Academy Bus operated the campus shuttles for the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses under a 10-year contract, until June 30, 2011, after which time First Transit Services, Inc. took over operations of the Rutgers Campus Buses. Academy has filed a lawsuit against the university over the loss of the contract. Despite the loss of shuttle operations, the company continues to provide the chartered bus operations used for tours and other events. Academy Bus took back the Rutgers University Bus contract for Newark on January 20, 2026 from Transdev. They will take the New Brunswick contract on July 1, 2026.
Academy operates Columbia Transportation for Columbia University, using both Columbia-branded transit buses and Academy-branded coaches.
Academy continues to run a separate operation in New York City for New York University and various operations for universities in southern Connecticut and around Boston. Also, Academy Bus operates long-term parking shuttles around Newark Liberty Airport under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey using Port Authority-owned and branded Orion VII buses, and using their own fleet as well.
In January 2014, Academy began operation of the SIM23 and SIM24 (formerly X23 and X24) routes between Manhattan and Staten Island, formerly operated by the now bankrupt Atlantic Express. These routes were subsidized by and operated under contract to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. On January 3, 2022, operations of the two routes transferred to the MTA, with minor changes to the operating times and routing.Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA to Take Over Operation of SIM23 and SIM24 Bus Routes on Staten Island Starting Jan. 3, 2022, 12/27/2021
As of October 1, 2014, Academy operates the MTA Maryland Commuter Express routes #410, #411, & #420 under contract to and using MTA Maryland owned buses. The #820 was also awarded by MTA Maryland and began operations on July 1, 2015.
In 2017, Academy began a contract with UNC Charlotte to operate shuttles for Niner Transit, where Academy currently operates 13 New Flyer XD-40 Buses. Academy's Contract is expected to expire June 30, 2028.
In 2021, Academy Bus Lines began operating the Tri-Rail Community bus network, where they operate a fleet of 21 ElDorado E-Z Rider II buses.
In July 2022, Academy Bus took over operations of Disney World's Cruise Line Bus route. This service was previously done by Mears Transportation, until they lost the contract in June 2022. Academy Bus also added a new Disney World Sunshine Flyer service in November 2022. As of 2021, Academy is also contracted by Disney for shuttles for their Disney College Program participants. The routes are only for Flamingo Crossing Village residents in the College Program.
As of September 27, 2023, Academy Bus acquired James River Transportation of Richmond, Virginia. As part of the acquisition, Academy took over Amtrak Thruway service between Charlottesville and Richmond that was previously operated by James River Transportation.
On June 17, 2024, Academy Bus took over EZRide from Paul Revere Transportation. Academy Bus increased service, while adding new Eldorado buses to run the service.
Academy operated under contract BestBus, which provides intercity buses between New York and the Washington area. BestBus was acquired by competitor DC Trails.
Academy formerly operated under contract to Bridj, a private, app-based, on-demand transit service, in the Greater Boston area.
Academy Bus also provides Uber shuttle bus service, as of July 2024.
The company was selected by the Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation to operate the Tidewater Current, a bus line of the Virginia Breeze intercity bus service in Virginia, which started operations in the spring of 2026.
On August 31, 2026, MTA Maryland would debut a new route, the 411T. This service runs from White Marsh To Trade Point Atlantic and is operated by Academy.
Directly controlled commuter routes Academy Bus provides commuter line run service along several routes from Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey.
The full route is shown for each except for branching. Unless otherwise noted, passengers are carried to and from New York only.
RouteTerminalsViaNotesLine 300New YorkPort Authority Bus Terminal↔ East WindsorWindsor Heights Shopping CenterNew Jersey Turnpike Applegarth Road Franklin Street Stockton StreetLocal passengers carried between East Windsor and Monroe. Full-time service. Off-peak service operated by Suburban Trails. Most service continues on to East Midtown during the AM rush only.←AM----→PMPlainsboroTown CenterNew Jersey Turnpike Plainsboro RoadPeak service only. Clearbrook served daily on the East Windsor service. Most service continues on to East Midtown during the AM rush only.JamesburgThe Ponds, Concordia, and WhittinghamNew Jersey Turnpike Applegarth Road Prospect Plains RoadSayrevilleNew YorkEast Midtown via 5/Madison AvenuesSayrevilleWinding WoodsGarden State ParkwayMain StreetWashington RoadBordentown AvenuePeak service only.New YorkWall Street areaSayrevilleHarbor ClubWeekday service only.Route 91New YorkWall Street areaLakewood Bus TerminalRoute 9Peak service only. During the height of rush hour, three services operate: Old Bridge to Union Hill Road only. Gordon's Corner to Lakewood. Jackson to Lakewood.Shore PointsNew YorkPort Authority Bus Terminal↔ Point Pleasant BeachRailroad stationGarden State Parkway Lincroft Park-Ride (Exit 109) Route 35 Ocean Avenue Route 71Via Chesequeake and PNC Bank Arts Center park-rides. Local passengers are carried between Asbury Park and Lincroft. Wall Street service operates during peak hours only. Weekday midday service does not travel south of Asbury Park. Weekend service does not travel south of Ocean Grove. Jersey Shore Premium Outlets service also interlined on both weekdays and weekends to operate via Cheesequake and Lincroft.New YorkWall Street area←AM----→PMRoute 36New YorkPort Authority Bus Terminal↔ Long BranchRailroad stationGarden State Parkway Route 36Via Airport Plaza in Hazlet and Chesequeake Park-Ride. Local passengers are carried between Hazlet and Long Branch. Wall Street service operates during peak hours only.New YorkWall Street area←AM----→PMRoute 35New YorkPort Authority Bus TerminalRed BankRoute 35 and Navesink River RoadGarden State Parkway Route 35Peak service only. Via Airport Plaza in Hazlet and Chesequeake Park-Ride.Parkway Express Forked RiverPark and RideGarden State Parkway CR 549 (some trips)Peak service only. Also serves Jersey City. Some lower Manhattan service operates via Jersey City. Weekday Midday service from Monmouth Service Area, Lincroft and Cheesequake operated as part of their Manchester-Jackson service. See Note 2 below for Toms River and Route 549 service.New YorkWall Street areaWestamptonNew YorkPort Authority Bus Terminal↔ WillingboroVan Sciver Parkway (peak) WestamptonExit 5 park-ride (full-time)New Jersey Turnpike Exit 5 Mount Holly Road Sunset RoadWall Street via Jersey City service operates during peak hours only. AM rush service to midtown continues to East Midtown. Willingboro served during peak hours only.New YorkWall Street area←AM----→PM
NOTES: Route 9 service via Academy is provided to lower Manhattan only (except for service via Jackson, which is available to midtown Manhattan). Route 9 service to midtown (except Jackson service) is provided on the 139 full-time. Toms River and Route 549 service via Academy is only provided to lower Manhattan. Toms River service to midtown Manhattan is provided on the 137 line full-time. All service via the Garden State Parkway (except for Route 9) operates via the Cheesequake park and ride. Shore Points and Parkway Express services also stop at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
Casino line runs Academy Bus operates several regularly scheduled line services from points in the New York metropolitan area to and from casinos in Atlantic City, Yonkers, and Connecticut, with service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal operated in partnership with Coach USA as a Megabus service, the M25 (buses carry Academy markings).
Go Buses Academy Bus runs an intercity bus common carrier service under the "Go Buses" brand, servicing the Northeast United States from Boston to Washington, D.C.. Go Buses markets its service with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and a free bottle of water upon boarding, along with a frequent rider rewards program. Offering tickets as low as $5 per one-way trip, Go Buses competes with other low-cost intercity bus services, such as Megabus, BoltBus, and various Chinatown bus lines. Academy Bus acquired Go Buses in 2014.
Facilities As of March 2026, Academy Bus Lines manages 25 locations along the East Coast in order to facilitate its Scheduled, Charter and Contract Service operations.
Connecticut Bridgeport Address: 114 River Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604 Services Offered: Charter
Florida Fort Lauderdale Address: 4160 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Services Offered: Charter & Contract (Miami Hurry' Canes Shuttle) Jacksonville Address: 3501 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254 Services Offered: Charter Orlando Address: 1155 Elboc Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Services Offered: Charter & Contract (Disney College Shuttle) Tampa Address: 12301 40th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762 Services Offered: Charter West Palm Beach Address: 6575 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33413