If you’ve ever stood on a windswept corner in Elmwood Park or watched the digital clocks tick down at Port Authority Bus Terminal, you know the NJ Transit Bus 160 isn't just a number on a blue-and-orange sign. It is a lifeline. Honestly, it’s one of those routes that doesn't get the glory of the trains or the heavy-duty suburban express lines, but it carries the weight of a dozen different neighborhoods on its back every single day.
Commuting in North Jersey is a beast. You know that. I know that. But the 160 is a bit of a weird one because it weaves through parts of Bergen and Passaic counties that other lines sort of ignore. It’s not just for the 9-to-5 office crowd heading into Midtown. It’s for the retail workers at Westfield Garden State Plaza, the students, and the people who just need to get across town without paying for an Uber that’s surged to $40 because of a light drizzle.
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The Grind: Understanding the 160 Route Layout
The 160 starts its journey (or ends it, depending on your perspective) at the Elmwood Park-Market Street area. From there, it snakes through Rochelle Park, Maywood, and Hackensack before eventually hitting the Meadowlands and diving into the Lincoln Tunnel.
One thing people always get wrong is assuming it's a straight shot. It’s not. It’s local. Very local. You’re going to see the back of a lot of residential streets and small commercial hubs. If you're looking for a "express" experience, the 160 might test your patience, but it wins on accessibility. It hits the Passaic Street corridor in Hackensack, which is basically the heartbeat of that city’s transit connection.
Why the Garden State Plaza Stop Changes Everything
If you’ve ever tried to park at the Garden State Plaza on a Saturday in December, you’ve seen a glimpse of what purgatory looks like. This is where the NJ Transit Bus 160 becomes a genuine hero. It stops right there.
- Employee Access: A huge chunk of the mall's workforce relies on this bus. Without the 160, the economy of Paramus would probably take a massive hit.
- Shopper Convenience: You can buy a pair of shoes and be on your way back to the city or deeper into Bergen County without ever touching a steering wheel.
- Transfer Hub: It connects you to other lines like the 163, 171, and 175. It’s basically the "Change at Jamaica" of the North Jersey bus world, but with more Cinnabon smells.
The Port Authority Reality Check
Let’s talk about the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT). It’s a place that evokes... feelings. Usually stressful ones. The 160 usually departs from the lower levels, often Gate 224 or somewhere in that vicinity, though you should always check the screens because NJ Transit loves to keep us on our toes with gate changes.
The trip from PABT to the first stop in New Jersey can take twenty minutes. Or it can take an hour. The Lincoln Tunnel is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO in a town car or a student on the 160; when there’s a fender bender in the center tube, you’re all stuck together.
Pro tip: Use the NJ Transit MyTix app. Seriously. Fumbling with paper tickets while a line of fifty people breathes down your neck at Gate 224 is a level of anxiety nobody needs in their life.
The Hackensack Connection
Hackensack is undergoing a massive transformation. High-rises are popping up where parking lots used to be. Because of this, the 160 is seeing a shift in its demographic. It’s no longer just the old-school commuters who have lived in the area for forty years. It’s young professionals who realized they can’t afford a studio in Hoboken and decided that Hackensack is actually pretty cool.
The bus runs along Passaic Street, which is a major artery. You’ve got the Hackensack University Medical Center nearby, and while the 160 doesn't drop you at the front door, it gets you close enough to make it a viable option for hospital staff.
Real Talk: Reliability and the "Ghost Bus" Phenomenon
Is the 160 always on time? No. Let's be real.
Between the traffic on Route 4, the congestion in the Meadowlands, and the nightmare that is the approach to the tunnel, schedules are more like "suggestions." The MyBus feature—where you text your 5-digit bus stop number to 69287—is your best friend. It uses real-time GPS data. If the app says the bus is two minutes away but you don't see it, it might be stuck at a light. If the app says "delay," believe it.
I’ve seen people stand in the rain for thirty minutes because they trusted the printed paper schedule. Don't be that person. The 160 is a workhorse, but even horses get stuck in traffic.
Comparing the 160 to Other Bergen Routes
People often ask: "Why take the 160 when I can take the 163 or the 164?"
Well, the 163 is great if you're in Ridgewood. The 164 is great for Fair Lawn. But if you’re in Maywood or that specific slice of Rochelle Park, those buses aren't going to help you much. The 160 serves a very specific niche. It fills the gaps.
- The 163/164: Fast, often crowded, mostly for NYC commuters.
- The 160: Slower, more local stops, better for intra-county travel.
It’s about coverage. The 160 is the bus that picks up the people the express lines fly past.
Pricing and Zones: Don't Get Caught Off Guard
NJ Transit uses a zone system. It’s confusing for newcomers. A trip from Elmwood Park to NYC is usually around 4 zones. A local trip within Bergen County might only be 1 or 2.
Always tell the driver where you're going before you swipe or tap. If you just tap and you're going to the city, the machine might default to a local fare and then you're stuck in an awkward conversation with a driver who just wants to get home.
The Weekend Struggle
The 160 runs on weekends, but the frequency drops. Hard. On a Tuesday morning, you might see a bus every 15-20 minutes. On a Sunday evening? You might be waiting an hour.
If you're planning a Sunday trip to the mall or a visit to friends in Hackensack, check the weekend schedule twice. Or three times. Actually, just check it right before you leave the house. There’s nothing quite as lonely as a deserted bus stop in Rochelle Park on a Sunday night.
Improving Your Experience on the 160
Look, nobody rides the bus because they love the upholstery. You ride it because you have to get somewhere. But you can make it better.
- Noise Canceling Headphones: Essential. Between the engine roar and the guy two rows back talking loudly about his fantasy football league, you need a barrier.
- External Battery: The 160 buses are a mix. Some are the newer models with USB ports, but many are older units where the only "tech" is a pull-cord for the stop. Don't risk your phone dying.
- Positioning: If you’re getting off in the city, try to sit near the front. When that bus hits Port Authority, it’s a mad dash for the doors.
The Future of the Route
With the talk of Congestion Pricing in Manhattan (even with the delays and political back-and-forth), more people are looking at the bus. The 160 is likely going to see higher ridership in the coming years as driving into the city becomes prohibitively expensive for the average worker.
NJ Transit has been slowly upgrading the fleet. The newer buses have better suspension, which is a godsend when you're hitting the potholes on Market Street. There’s also ongoing discussion about bus priority lanes in the Meadowlands area, which would significantly cut down the commute time for the 160.
Actionable Steps for 160 Riders
If you're about to start using the 160 for your daily commute or just a one-off trip, here is your checklist:
- Download the App: Do not rely on paper tickets. The NJ Transit app is the only way to go.
- Check the "Alerts" Section: Before you leave, see if there are tunnel delays. If the Lincoln Tunnel is backed up, the 160 is going to be late. Period.
- Identify Your Stop Number: Find the 5-digit code on the sign at your stop. Save it in your phone notes. Texting that number to 69287 is faster than navigating the app when you're in a rush.
- Have a Backup: If the 160 is massively delayed, know which other lines are nearby. Sometimes walking 10 minutes to a different street can get you on a different bus (like the 163 or 175) that gets you to the same general area.
- Commuter Pass Value: If you’re riding more than 4 days a week, the monthly pass is almost always cheaper. Plus, it gives you "free" local rides within your zone count.
The NJ Transit Bus 160 isn't flashy. It’s not a high-speed rail. It’s a gritty, reliable-ish, essential piece of the New Jersey puzzle. Treat it with a little respect, plan for the traffic, and it'll get you where you need to go. Eventually.