Rules for Commuting on New Jersey Transit Buses

I am always on the go for work. Two days a week I commute to our Townsquare Media corporate offices in New York City. I also travel frequently to our radio stations throughout the country. In fact, this week I was in San Angelo, TX. Just a few weeks ago I was in Albany, NY. So I am always on the go by plane, train, bus, and more.

As a result of my frequent travels for nearly 4 years, I have become a commuting expert. So I'd like to start a series where I'll tackle different transportation faux paus that I see a lot, and explain why they are so infuriating to anyone who commutes. First up? I want to tackle rules for commuting on New Jersey Transit's buses and trains.

As I said, I commute to New York City two days a week. I usually travel to New York City by taking a New Jersey Transit bus. That's bus route 137 from the Toms River bus station to the Port Authority. The time spent on that bus ranges from just under two hours one way (on a good day) to upwards of four hours in traffic. So here are some of Joe's Commuter Rules for anyone commuting on New Jersey transit.

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Thinkstock Photos
1
Noise
Keep loud conversations down!
This one is simple, but it needs to be repeated DAILY on the bus that I travel on. If you are commuting between the hours of 5am and 10am or 4pm and 8pm, BE QUIET. Keep the loud cell phone conversations or conversations with your friends to a minimal sound. Just last week: the gentleman sitting next to me fought with his girlfriend about if they were going to have a child. Seriously? Here's a rule of thumb: the bus is NOT a good place for these private conversations!
Thinkstock Photos
Thinkstock Photos
2
Eating
Please don't eat smelly or crunchy foods.
This may just be a personal pet peeve, but there is nothing worse than smelling somebody else's breakfast burrito or listening to them crunch on a bag of chips for 3 and a half hours. Weren't we all taught in elementary school that if we didn't have enough food to share with the class, that we should keep it to ourselves? I understand that morning and evening schedules can be tough, but please be respectful of those around you.
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Thinkstock Photos
3
Pushing your Seat Back
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should push it back.
I am a fairly small guy, but there is nothing worse than when the person seated in front of you pushes their seat back all of the way. If you've ever been on an airplane, you know how tight those seats are. Right? New Jersey Transit buses do not have much more room. Please keep your seat in the upright position as a common courtesy to those seated behind you. I almost had my laptop screen smashed last week when a hooligan pushed his seat all the way back abruptly.
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Thinkstock Photos
4
Daytrippers
If you're going to the city for fun, please be mindful of commuters going to work!
I absolutely love New York City. The city has arts, culture, theater and a whole lot more. We all love the city for that reason. However, if you're going to city for a day trip, it's only going agitate commuters even more when you talk about how much fun you're going to have. I absolutely DREAD commuting on Wednesdays. Common commuters know the Wednesday bus crowd as the "matinee crowd." The way the matinee broadway shows are timed, the matinee crowd rides in during the morning commute, and rides out during the evening commute. If you ever find yourself doing that, please know that you're surrounded by people who ride this bus every day, and you're interrupting their routines if you are loud or rude. Also, to be perfectly honest? We're probably just jealous that you got to spend a Wednesday at a broadway show, and we were stuck crunching numbers at work.

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Rules for Commuting on New Jersey Transit Buses – Joe’s Commuter Rules