In January 2023, the City of Passaic was selected for a Transit Hub Planning project through the Transit Hub Planning Program. This program is a collaboration between the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA New Jersey), aimed at strengthening transit hubs at transit stations across New Jersey. The program organizes teams of volunteer planners to work with selected communities, reviewing their transit hubs and providing recommendations for future improvements.
Passaic earned its selection through a competitive process, submitting a request for assistance in planning the area surrounding the proposed new bus station on Main Avenue. The new station, to be funded and constructed by NJ TRANSIT, is slated for completion between 2026 and 2028. Located in the heart of Main Avenue’s commercial district, the station will replace an existing parking lot and serve as a critical hub for the city.
In its application, Passaic identified three key areas for support:
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Intermodal Connections: The city sought a plan to improve intermodal connections between the new station and the surrounding area. With its central location, the station will connect to retail blocks and various transit services, including NJ TRANSIT and local bus routes, as well as extensive jitney services to New York City. Pedestrian connections will be enhanced to support these services. Additionally, a new parking garage, currently under construction just one block away, will require seamless integration with the station.
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Circulator Transit Service: The city requested assistance in developing a plan for a circulator transit service. This service would link the new bus station with Passaic’s railroad station on Passaic Avenue and the Garfield rail station across the Passaic River, improving regional connectivity.
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Transit Village Status: Lastly, the city sought support for its application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for Transit Village designation, a program that promotes transit-oriented development.
In response, NJTPA and APA New Jersey assembled a team of volunteer planners with expertise tailored to these challenges. The team conducted in-depth analyses and developed recommendations, culminating in a comprehensive Story Map document that summarizes their work. This document includes detailed plans and actionable insights for improving Passaic’s transit hub.
Reports
Download the Final Passaic Transit Hub Plan
Download the Transit Shuttle Bus Concept Development Report
City of Passaic Transit Hub Volunteer Team:
- Brian Davis – Team Leader
- Danielle Baer
- Robert Brewer
- Paul Drake
- Jasmine Grossman
- Daniel Hauben
- Daniel Hutton
- Riley Riegel
Agency Representatives:
- Jeff Vernick – NJTPA
- Tom Schulze – APA New Jersey