N.J. agency issues school bus classification change

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) is issuing a policy change that could affect school bus operators in the state that use the Garden State Parkway.

The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile, limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, N.J., to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip.

Effective July 1, school buses will no longer be designated as Class 1 vehicles on the parkway. Instead, they will be classified as either B2 or B3 depending on the number of axles. Officials said the change was made so that the classification of school buses would be consistent on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Despite the forthcoming change, school bus operators will be able to continue paying Class 1 toll rates on the parkway by signing up for the NJTA’s school bus discount. School bus operators must register for the discount by July 1.

To be eligible, a bus operator must have S1 or S2 plates, must be an E-ZPass business account holder and must have only Class 1, B2 or B3 vehicles registered to that account.

Those who would like to register for the school bus discount or who may have questions about the program should call Sherrell Long at the E-ZPass customer service center at (973) 368-1587.