N.J. Stat. tit. 56, ch. 16

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-1 Short title.

3. Sections 3 through 10 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-1 et seq.) shall be known and may be cited as the "Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses Act." L.2013, c.224, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-2 Definitions relative to autobuses.

4. For the purposes of sections 3 through 9 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-1 et seq.) and section 10 of P.L.2025, c.260 (C.56:16-4.1): "Autobus" means a privately owned autobus operated over the public highways in this State for the transportation of not more than 40 passengers for hire in intrastate or interstate business except that "autobus" shall not include: (1) a vehicle engaged in motorbus regular route service as defined in section 3 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-3); (2) a vehicle engaged in the transportation of passengers for hire in the manner and form commonly called taxicab service unless that service becomes or is held out to be regular service between stated termini; (3) a hotel bus used exclusively for the transportation of hotel patrons to or from local railroad or other common carrier stations, including local airports; (4) a bus operated for the transportation of enrolled children and adults only when serving as chaperones to or from a school, school-connected activity, day camp, summer day camp, nursery school, child care center, pre-school center, or other similar places of education, including "School Vehicle Type I" and "School Vehicle Type II" as defined in R.S.39:1-1; (5) an autobus with a carrying capacity of not more than 13 passengers operated under municipal consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of a single municipality or with a carrying capacity of not more than 20 passengers operated under municipal consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of not more than four contiguous municipalities within any county of the fifth or sixth class, which route in either case does not, in whole or in part, parallel upon the same street the line of any street railway or traction railway or any other autobus route; (6) an autocab, limousine, or livery service as defined in R.S.48:16-13 or section 2 of P.L.1997, c.356 (C.48:16-13.1), unless that service becomes or is held out to be regular service between stated termini; (7) a vehicle used in a "ridesharing" arrangement, as defined by the "New Jersey Ridesharing Act of 1981," P.L.1981, c.413 (C.27:26-1 et al.); (8) a motor bus owned by, or operated under a contract with, the New Jersey Transit Corporation; (9) charter bus operations, as defined in R.S.48:4-1; (10) a vehicle designed to transport eight or more, but fewer than 16, persons, including the driver, which is used exclusively for the transportation of persons between an off-airport parking facility and an airport; (11) a special paratransit vehicle, as defined in R.S.48:4-1; or (12) a vehicle that is owned or leased by a "boarding or nursing home," as defined by section 2 of P.L.1977, c.238 (C.26:2H-37), by an "assisted living facility," as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.61 (C.26:2H-12.56), by an adult day health care facility or pediatric day health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et al.), or by any facility or other entity licensed or approved by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Health to render services to New Jersey residents, and which is used to transport eight or more, but fewer than 16, persons, including the driver, to and from recreational and social activities, shopping, and other health care providers; provided that no charge is assessed each time a patient, resident, or client utilizes the transportation service. "Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses" means the consumer protections, obligations of the owners and operators of autobuses, and basic expectations and guarantees of health, safety, and welfare established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-4). "For hire" means for direct or indirect hire, any service for which the driver of the vehicle is compensated, or which is included in the duties of the person who renders services for compensation, but shall not include transportation services that are provided to patients or residents of a "boarding or nursing home," as defined by section 2 of P.L.1977, c.238 (C.26:2H-37), an "assisted living facility," as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.61 (C.26:2H-12.56), an adult day health care facility or pediatric day health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et al.), or to patients, residents, or clients of any facility or other entity that is licensed or approved by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Health to render services to New Jersey residents, unless a charge is assessed each time a patient, resident, or client utilizes the transportation services. "Operator" means a person who is in actual physical control of an autobus. "Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of an autobus, or if an autobus is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of an autobus is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee, lessee, or mortgagor shall be considered the owner. L.2013, c.224, s.4; amended 2015, c.31, s.1; 2025, c.260, s.9.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-3 Findings, declarations relative to autobuses.

5. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The residents of this State rely on a variety of passenger vehicle transportation options. The provision of safe and lawful transportation options is vital to the economy of the State and to the health and welfare of New Jersey residents. b. The proliferation of privately-owned autobuses which are operated in intrastate or interstate business over the public highways in this State for the transportation of not more than 40 passengers, often incorrectly referred to as jitneys, as a transportation option in the State has led to an increase in congestion on the roadways, presented public safety issues, engendered passenger service complaints, and posed environmental hazards. c. In protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the thousands of New Jersey residents who use autobuses and other residents who encounter these autobuses on the highways, it is necessary and proper to ensure that the owners and operators of these autobuses uphold their obligations to provide safe and lawful services to their customers. d. In order to ensure that autobuses provide safe and lawful services to the people of this State, it is appropriate for this Legislature to enact a bill of rights for customers of certain autobuses that establishes basic rights and guarantees that protect the health, safety, and welfare of customers. L.2013, c.224, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-4 "Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses."

6. There is created a "Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses" which shall provide the following consumer protections, obligations of the owners and operators of autobuses, and basic expectations and guarantees of health, safety, and welfare: a. The owner of an autobus shall provide clear and conspicuous notice of customer complaint contact information by prominently displaying the telephone number, established by the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety pursuant to subsection b. of section 7 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-5), on the interior and exterior of the autobus. b. The owner of an autobus shall respond to all complaints in a timely fashion and work to resolve any problems customers encounter regarding unsafe, poor, or inadequate service. c. The owner of an autobus shall ensure that all operators are well-trained. d. The operator of an autobus shall not allow an autobus to exceed the number of passengers that the autobus can safely accommodate. e. The operator of an autobus shall ensure that the autobus is clean, well-maintained, and in good working condition at all times. f. The operator of an autobus shall not operate an autobus while smoking or using a cellular telephone, or engage in any other action that may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of passengers. g. The operator of an autobus shall comply with all federal and State laws governing the safe operation of a motor vehicle. L.2013, c.224, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-4.1 Autobus schedules.

10. a. The owner of an autobus shall develop a route schedule for each autobus providing fixed route service provided by the owner or operator. b. The owner or operator shall publish the route schedule, developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section, on the website of the owner or operator and at each transportation facility, station, stop, or stand where the autobus provides fixed route service. c. In the event that the route schedule, developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section, is changed by the owner or operator, the owner or operator shall update the owner or operator’s website to reflect the changes and post the new route schedule at each transportation facility, station, stop, or stand where the autobus provides fixed route service, within 30 days of the changes to the route schedule taking effect. L.2025, c.260, s.10.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-5 Duties of director.

7. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall: a. establish a telephone number where customers may submit complaints regarding service provided by autobus owners and operators; and b. initiate, investigate, attempt to resolve, and, if necessary, refer to the Attorney General any matter or complaint received concerning a violation of the Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-4). The division may conduct an investigation and may request in writing the production of documents and records as part of its investigation. Trade secrets and proprietary business information contained in the documents or records received by the division pursuant to a written request or a subpoena shall be confidential and shall not be deemed a "government record" under section 1 of P.L.1995, c.23 (C.47:1A-1.1 et seq.). If the person of whom such request was made fails to produce the documents or records within 30 days after the date of the request, the division may issue and serve subpoenas to compel the production of those documents and records. If any person refuses to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, the division may petition the Superior Court to enforce the subpoena by means of such sanctions as the court may direct. After completion of the investigation, the division shall either: (1) dismiss the complaint following a determination that no violation occurred; or (2) determine that a violation has likely occurred and, if so, shall attempt to resolve the matter by settlement, which may include a monetary settlement to cover the costs incurred by the division. If no settlement is achieved, then the division may take further action, including, if necessary, referring the matter to the Attorney General for further proceedings. Any records, documents, papers, maps, books, tapes, photographs, files, sound recordings, or other business material, regardless of form or characteristics, obtained by the division pursuant to subpoena shall be confidential. At the conclusion of an investigation, any matter determined by the division, or by a federal or State judicial or administrative body, to be a trade secret or proprietary confidential business information held by the division pursuant to the investigation shall be considered confidential. The materials may be used in any administrative or judicial proceeding as long as the confidential or proprietary nature of the material is maintained. L.2013, c.224, s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-6 Violations, penalties.

8. A person who violates any of the provisions of section 6 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-4) shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second violation, and $5,000 for a third or subsequent violation. Each day upon which the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. The penalty prescribed in this section shall be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for the enforcement of the penalty provided by this section. Process shall be in the nature of a summons or warrant which shall issue upon the complaint of the Attorney General or any other person. L.2013, c.224, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 56:16-7 Rules, regulations.

9. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of sections 3 through 8 of P.L.2013, c.224 (C.56:16-1 through C.56:16-6). L.2013, c.224, s.9.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026