Hudson County Creates a Rider-Centered Transit Experience

Hudson County, New Jersey, sits at the heart of one of the most heavily traveled transit regions in the northeastern United States. Located directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, the county functions as a vital connector for residents, workers, students, and visitors moving through a dense network of buses, regional rail, ferries, and express services operated by multiple agencies. For many people, transit in Hudson County is not optional. It is how they get to work, attend school, access health care, and maintain daily routines that shape their lives.

Yet the experience of navigating that system did not always reflect the importance of those trips. Until recently, there was no single, interactive transit map or unified view that helped riders understand how services connected across the region. Riders often had to piece together information from disconnected sources, each representing only one part of the journey. A bus stop map showed one segment. A rail app filled in another. Ferry schedules lived on separate websites. For riders trying to get to an appointment on time or make it to a shift, the process added unnecessary stress. For visitors or occasional riders, it could make an already complex trip feel overwhelming.

Hudson County and the Hudson County Transportation Management Association recognized that the problem was not a lack of information, but how that information was delivered. Transit journeys are personal, shaped by where people live, where they need to go, and the time constraints they face. That realization became the foundation for rethinking how transit information should work and who it should serve.

Previously, the Hudson County Transportation Management Association utilized a printed foldout map. The map offered a clear systemwide snapshot of routes and services and worked well as a reference tool in offices and public spaces. It helped planners and stakeholders understand the network at a high level and served as a dependable resource for general orientation.

Over time, the map became a routine deliverable, updated periodically and used primarily to understand transit at a macro scale. When it came time to refresh it once again, the team paused. Instead of asking how often the map should be updated or how it should be designed visually, they asked a more fundamental question. Who was the map really for?

“Static maps are great for hanging up and understanding the system at a high level,” said Daryl Krasnuk, director of the Hudson County Office of Digital Information. “But when we asked ourselves who the target audience really was—our residents, commuters and visitors—we realized that approach was not ideal.”

That shift in perspective changed the direction of the project. The team began to look at transit through the eyes of riders who rely on it to reach essential destinations. A trip to a doctor’s appointment may require a bus and a ferry. A daily commute might involve local service paired with regional rail. A student’s journey could change depending on time of day or service disruptions. Each trip is personal, and each rider needs information that reflects their specific situation.

This reframing made one thing clear: Riders did not need more static maps. They needed an experience that matched how they travel, one that supported decision-making before and during a trip. That insight laid the groundwork for a public-facing transit application built around real travel behavior rather than agency boundaries or individual modes.

With a clearer understanding of rider expectations, the county and the Hudson County Transportation Management Association collaborated across agencies to build an interactive web application that presents buses, trains, and ferries in a single connected view. The team turned to geographic information system (GIS) technology to bring the vision to life, publishing transit data in ArcGIS Online and using ArcGIS Experience Builder to organize those maps into a rider-friendly web application.

The goal was not to replace existing agency tools, but to create a unifying layer that helps riders understand how services connect across the county and beyond. The application brings together transit data from multiple providers while allowing users to explore the network based on their own needs.

From the outset, usability guided every design decision. Rather than displaying every route at once, which can overwhelm users, the application organizes services into clearly defined sections. Riders can explore local bus routes, regional rail lines, ferries, or express connections into New York City individually, while still understanding how those services fit into a larger system. This structure reduces visual clutter and helps users find relevant information more quickly.

“The goal was to make the application easy to use, even for someone without a GIS background, while still giving people access to detailed transit information when they need it,” said Finn Hagerty, GIS specialist for the Hudson County Office of Digital Information.

Search tools, filters, and interactive layers work together to support how people plan trips in real life. Riders can focus on specific neighborhoods, identify nearby services, and explore alternative routes as conditions change. Rather than duplicating information that changes frequently, such as fares or schedules, the application connects users directly to authoritative sources like NJ Transit and ferry operators. This approach keeps information accurate while maintaining a streamlined experience centered on rider decision-making.

By designing the application around how people move through the county, Hudson County created a tool that respects the personal nature of each journey while simplifying the complexity of a multiagency network.

Because many riders access transit information while already traveling, mobile usability was a priority from the beginning. The application was deliberately configured to adapt across devices, ensuring that routes, filters, and search tools function consistently on desktops, tablets, and phones. The objective was to support confident decision-making wherever a rider happened to be.

That focus translated directly into everyday value. Hagerty recalled moments when the GIS transit application proved useful in unscripted situations. “I had the app open on my phone and was able to guide someone to the bus they needed in real time. That is when you realize how useful it can be in the real world.”

Accessibility was addressed in parallel. The team evaluated visual contrast, map styling, and layout choices to align with guidance provided through the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Basemaps were selected for clarity and legibility, and routes and stops were styled to be easily interpreted at a glance, even as lighting conditions and screen sizes varied.

Community feedback played a key role as the interactive transit map evolved. Riders emphasized the importance of ferries as an essential part of the regional transit network, particularly during rail disruptions. By incorporating ferry routes, the application reflects how people adapt their journeys when conditions change.

The team also made a deliberate choice to look beyond county borders. Major routes extending into New York City and across New Jersey are clearly represented, acknowledging Hudson County’s role as a link between the regions.

“Hudson County is a major regional connector, so it was important to show not just what happens inside the county, but how transit connects people into New York City and across New Jersey,” said Krasnuk.

Today, the interactive transit map serves as a foundation for future public-facing transit tools across the county. As new routes come online, travel patterns shift, or special events change demand, the county can build on a proven approach rather than starting from scratch. For riders, that flexibility means clearer choices, fewer surprises, and a transit experience that better supports the personal journeys they take every day to reach work, school, health care, and home.