Public Transit in South Jersey: NJ Transit, PATCO, and More

South Jersey's public transit system is more extensive than many people realize. Between the PATCO Speedline, NJ Transit rail and bus services, the River LINE light rail, and regional connections, you can get from most Burlington and Camden County towns to Philadelphia, New York, and other destinations without a car. The key is knowing which system serves your town and how to make the connections work for your schedule.

Over the past 20 years, I have helped many buyers choose a South Jersey home based on transit access. Some wanted a train commute to Philadelphia. Others needed bus access to a specific job center. And some wanted to live car-light or car-free, relying on a combination of walking, biking, and transit. This guide covers every major transit option in the region so you can decide what works for you.

PATCO Speedline: The Gold Standard

The PATCO Speedline is the most important transit line in South Jersey. It connects 13 stations across Camden County to Center City Philadelphia with fast, frequent, and reliable service that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Key PATCO facts:

• Stations in New Jersey: Lindenwold, Ashland (Cherry Hill), Woodcrest (Cherry Hill), Haddonfield, Westmont, Collingswood, Ferry Avenue (Camden), Broadway (Camden), City Hall (Camden)
• Stations in Philadelphia: 8th and Market, 12th-13th and Locust, 15th-16th and Locust, 9th-10th and Locust
• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
• Frequency: Every 7-10 minutes during peak hours, every 15-20 minutes off-peak, every 30-40 minutes overnight
• Fare: $1.40 per ride with Freedom Card, $3.00 round trip
• Monthly pass: $74.50 for unlimited rides between any two stations

Read my complete PATCO Speedline guide for detailed station-by-station information.

NJ Transit Rail: Atlantic City Line and Northeast Corridor

NJ Transit operates two rail lines that serve South Jersey commuters:

Atlantic City Line

The Atlantic City Line runs from Atlantic City to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, with stops in Lindenwold, Atco, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, and Absecon. The train from the Atco station (near Berlin and Winslow) to 30th Street takes about 35 minutes. From Lindenwold, about 30 minutes.

The Atlantic City Line is a good option for commuters who work near 30th Street Station or want to connect to Amtrak or SEPTA regional rail. The trains offer comfortable seating, onboard Wi-Fi, and quiet cars. However, service is less frequent than PATCO, with about 8 to 10 trains per day in each direction, so scheduling is important.

• Stations serving South Jersey: Lindenwold, Atco, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, Absecon, Atlantic City
• Travel time to 30th Street: 30-45 minutes from most stations
• Frequency: 8-10 trains per day in each direction
• Fare: $8.00-$14.00 one way depending on distance
• Best for: Commuters to University City, 30th Street Station area, or connections to Amtrak

Northeast Corridor Line (via Trenton)

The Northeast Corridor Line connects Trenton to New York Penn Station, with frequent service throughout the day. For South Jersey residents, the connection is made via the River LINE light rail to Trenton or by driving to Trenton Transit Center. This is the primary option for commuters who need to reach New York City.

• Travel time to NYC: 60-75 minutes from Trenton
• Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes during peak hours
• Fare: $16.00-$20.00 one way to NYC
• Best for: Commuters to New York City from northern Burlington County

River LINE Light Rail

The River LINE is a 34-mile light rail line that runs along the Delaware River from Trenton to Camden. It serves several Burlington County river towns and provides connections to NJ Transit trains at Trenton and PATCO trains at Camden.

River LINE stations in Burlington County include:

• Bordentown: Serves Bordentown City and Bordentown Township
• Florence: Serves Florence and Roebling
• Burlington Town Centre: Serves Burlington City
• Burlington South: Serves Burlington Township
• Beverly / Edgewater Park: Serves Beverly and Edgewater Park
• Delanco: Serves Delanco Township
• Riverside: Serves Riverside Township
• Cinnaminson: Serves Cinnaminson Township
• Riverton: Serves Riverton Borough
• Palmyra: Serves Palmyra Borough

The River LINE is a good option for commuters who live in Burlington County river towns and work in Trenton, Camden, or (with a transfer) Philadelphia. The entire line from Trenton to Camden takes about 55 minutes. The trains run every 15-30 minutes during peak hours and every 30-60 minutes during off-peak times.

One of the advantages of the River LINE is that it connects to both major transit systems. At the Trenton end, you can transfer to NJ Transit Northeast Corridor trains to New York. At the Camden end, you can transfer to PATCO for Philadelphia. This makes the River LINE towns some of the most transit-connected in Burlington County.

NJ Transit Buses

NJ Transit operates an extensive bus network across South Jersey, with routes connecting Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties. For many commuters, buses offer the most direct route to Philadelphia without the need for transfers.

Key bus routes for commuters:

• Route 317: Lumberton, Mount Holly, Westampton, Willingboro, Burlington to Philadelphia. A key route for central Burlington County commuters.
• Route 413: Burlington City to Philadelphia via Route 130. Serves Burlington City and Burlington Township.
• Route 409: Willingboro, Westampton, Mount Holly to Philadelphia via the Burlington-Bristol Bridge.
• Route 406: Medford, Marlton, Cherry Hill to Philadelphia. Serves central Burlington County.
• Route 407: Moorestown, Maple Shade to Philadelphia.
• Route 404: Mount Laurel, Maple Shade to Philadelphia.
• Route 401: Salem, Woodstown, Swedesboro to Philadelphia via Route 45 and Route 295.

NJ Transit buses arrive at various locations in Philadelphia depending on the route. Most cross-river buses arrive at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, where passengers transfer to PATCO or continue via bridge. Some routes go directly to the Greyhound Terminal at 10th and Filbert in Center City.

Bus commutes tend to be longer than train commutes, but they also offer more flexibility in terms of stops and routes. For commuters who live along a bus route and work near the destination terminal, a bus can be a convenient and affordable option.

Comparing Transit Options by Town

Here is how the transit options break down by town:

• PATCO-served towns: Collingswood, Haddonfield, Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Lindenwold. These towns offer the best transit access to Philadelphia with 12-24 minute train rides and 24/7 service.
• River LINE-served towns: Bordentown, Florence, Burlington City, Edgewater Park, Riverside, Cinnaminson, Riverton, Palmyra. These towns offer light rail access to Trenton and Camden, with connections to NJ Transit and PATCO.
• NJ Transit rail-served towns: Lindenwold, Atco (near Berlin and Winslow). These towns offer direct rail service to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and connections to Amtrak.
• NJ Transit bus-served towns: Mount Laurel, Marlton, Medford, Moorestown, Willingboro, Westampton, Lumberton, Mount Holly, and many others. Most South Jersey towns have at least some bus service to Philadelphia or regional job centers.
• Limited transit: Shamong, Tabernacle, Southampton, and other rural towns have limited or no public transit options. These towns are best suited for drivers or remote workers.

Other Transit Options

Beyond the major systems, South Jersey has a few other transit options worth knowing about:

Amtrak

Amtrak trains stop at Trenton, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and other regional stations. For South Jersey residents, the most useful Amtrak connection is at 30th Street Station, which is accessible via PATCO or NJ Transit. Amtrak provides high-speed service to New York (90 minutes from Philadelphia), Washington DC (2 hours), and beyond.

SEPTA Regional Rail

SEPTA operates regional rail lines throughout the Philadelphia region. While SEPTA does not directly serve New Jersey, SEPTA trains arrive at 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, and Jefferson Station in Center City, all of which are accessible from PATCO.

Greyhound and Megabus

Intercity bus services operate from South Jersey locations including Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, and Atlantic City. These services provide affordable long-distance travel to cities across the East Coast.

Rideshare and Vanpools

Several vanpool programs serve South Jersey commuters, organized through NJ Transit's Vanpool program or through employer-sponsored programs. Vanpools are a good option for commuters who live in areas without direct transit service but have a group of coworkers heading to the same destination.

How to Choose the Right Transit Option

Here is my advice for buyers who want to rely on public transit:

• Know your destination first. If you work in Center City Philadelphia, PATCO is your best option. If you work near 30th Street Station, NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line or a drive-to-PATCO combination may work better. If you commute to New York, focus on northern Burlington County towns with River LINE access.
• Consider the last mile. The time from your transit stop to your actual destination matters. A 12-minute PATCO ride is great, but if your office is a 20-minute walk from the 8th and Market station, your total commute is longer than a 30-minute drive.
• Check the schedule. If you need to arrive by a specific time, make sure the schedule works. PATCO's 24/7 service makes it the most flexible option. NJ Transit bus and rail schedules vary by route and time of day.
• Think about backup options. Transit delays happen. Having a backup plan, whether it is a rideshare, a bike, or a car at home, helps reduce stress on days when the train or bus is delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best public transit option from South Jersey to Philadelphia?

PATCO is the best option for most commuters. It is fast, frequent, affordable, and runs 24/7. NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line is a good alternative if you work near 30th Street Station. NJ Transit buses serve areas without rail access.

Does PATCO connect to NJ Transit?

Yes, at the Broadway and City Hall stations in Camden, you can transfer between PATCO and the River LINE light rail. At Trenton, the River LINE connects to NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line. At Lindenwold, PATCO connects to the Atlantic City Line.

How frequent is River LINE service?

The River LINE runs every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours and every 30 to 60 minutes during off-peak times. Service runs from early morning to late evening, but not 24/7. Check the NJ Transit schedule for exact times.

Which South Jersey towns have the best public transit?

Collingswood, Haddonfield, and Cherry Hill have the best transit access through PATCO. Cinnaminson, Riverton, and Bordentown have excellent River LINE access. Mount Laurel and Willingboro have good NJ Transit bus service.

Can you live in South Jersey without a car?

It is possible but challenging. Collingswood and Haddonfield are the most walkable and transit-connected towns. If you live within walking distance of a PATCO station and a grocery store, you can manage without a car. Most other South Jersey towns require a car for errands and appointments.

How much does NJ Transit cost from South Jersey to Philadelphia?

NJ Transit bus fares from Burlington County to Philadelphia range from $4.00 to $8.00 one way. The Atlantic City Line costs $8.00 to $14.00 one way. Monthly passes are available and offer significant savings for frequent riders.

Does NJ Transit have Wi-Fi?

Yes, many NJ Transit trains and some buses offer free Wi-Fi. The Atlantic City Line has Wi-Fi on board. PATCO trains do not have Wi-Fi, but cellular service is generally good throughout the line.