Author: Adam Wickham ’22
Welcome to Princeton, NJ! Most of the time, it can feel like the University provides everything you may need without even having to leave campus or Nassau Street. Yet, sometimes you may need to go off campus for whatever reason. Your first step may be to call an Uber or rent a car, but there’s a way that’s better for the environment and your wallet: the bus!
The bus is not a luxury experience, but public transportation is an effective way to reduce greenhouse emissions. According to Princeton’s Sustainability Action Plan, transportation emissions are one of the largest sources of carbon emissions along with electricity usage in both New Jersey and the United States as a whole. Public transportation in the United States is underdeveloped and does not have a great reputation. But it is safe, clean and affordable if you learn how to use it to get around Princeton and beyond.
What services are available?
Within walking distance of main campus are three different bus services available to use: Tiger Transit, NJ Transit and Princeton Municipal Transit. TigerTransit is operated by the University, while NJ Transit and Princeton Municipal Transit are operated by the government. Most undergraduate Princeton students are probably most familiar with TigerTransit’s Weekend Shopper (Route W-S), but there are more options if you don’t need to go to Route 1 on a weekend.
Here is a helpful chart with clickable links to guide you to your next public transit journey!
| TigerTransit | NJ Transit | Princeton Municipal Transit | |
| Fare | Free | $1.60* | Free |
| Relevant Routes | Route 4: Princeton Junction to EQuad Route W-S: Weekend Shopper | Route 605Route 606 | One route only |
| When does it run? | Route 4: Monday – Friday Route W-S: Saturday – Sunday | Daily | Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 8:50 PM except holidays |
| Relevant Stops | Route 4: Princeton Junction Rail Station, Princeton Rail Station, E-Quad Route W-S: Princeton Station, Whole Foods, Wegmans/Target, Trader Joes | 605: Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton Station, MarketFair, Whole Foods, Wegmans/Target, Quaker Bridge Mall, Trader Joes 606: Princeton Shopping Center, Palmer Square, Trenton Transit Center | Princeton Shopping Center, Palmer Square, Firestone Library |
| Official Apps | TripShot | NJTransit Mobile App MyBus Plan Your Trip | TripShot |
| Routes and Schedules | TigerTransit Routes & Schedules | Route 605Route 606 | Schedule |
| Compatible with Google Maps? | No | Yes | No |
*Note: NJ Transit fares can be paid using the NJTransit Mobile App or cash. You need exact change for the bus, but you can use $1 bills and coins.
All this information may seem overwhelming, but the most important thing is to give you options. If you don’t know where a bus is going, first check the sign or ask the driver, and they’ll help you out.