Our Story
The History of Trans-Bridge.
Taking Root
Trolley service from Port Colden, NJ to Easton, PA via Phillipsburg and Washington, NJ. Original Company Easton and Washington Traction Company.
Expansion Through Acquisition
Easton and Washington Traction company was acquired by Northampton Traction Company and changed the name to Northampton, Easton and Washington Traction Company moving to Broadway, NJ.
Founder’s Beginnings
Founder A.J. Ferraro started in the bus industry in 1917 when he converted a truck into a bus and transported troops to Fort Dix, New Jersey. His passion for all aspects of the industry led him to become a manager, consultant, partner, and owner of various bus companies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Reemergence as New Jersey Interurban
Northampton, Easton and Washington Traction Company entered into foreclosure and reemerged as the New Jersey Interurban Company.
Trolley to Buses
Trolley routes were replaced with buses. The transition from trolleys to buses marked a major shift in transportation. While it brought new flexibility and accessibility to riders, the change was met with resistance—particularly from railroads, which viewed buses as growing competition and even attempted to block certain bus routes.
Launching Charter Travel
New Jersey Interurban Coach Co. operated their first charter trip to Washington, DC. This trip was a senior class trip from Washington High School located in New Jersey.
The Birth of Marion Bus Lines
AJ Ferraro, his brother, Frank Ferraro and Ernest Capitani started Marion Bus Lines.
Trans-Bridge Lines Founded
In 1941, Ferraro founded Trans-Bridge Lines, Inc. and based the company in the Warren County, New Jersey community of Washington, located in Franklin Township. The company emerged when Ferraro, along with his son John and daughter Camille, took over the New Jersey Interurban Coach Company. The company operated local transit service along the Port Colden, Washington, Broadway, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey corridor to Easton, Pennsylvania, and eventually grew to include Allentown, Pennsylvania. The company also ran a few charters and tour excursions.
Delaware River Coach Lines
Delaware River Coach Lines, an affiliate of Trans-Bridge Lines, began operating local transit service between Easton and Phillipsburg. This service still runs today under an agreement between Delaware River Coach Lines and New Jersey Transit. By 1946, Delaware River Coach Lines and Trans-Bridge Lines moved to a new facility on Broad Street near the Phillipsburg-Easton Toll Bridge and the Northampton Street Bridge in Phillipsburg.
Trans-Bridge Tours History
In 1969, A.J.’s son John Ferraro started a tour company, Holiday Tours, which conducted retail tours throughout the United States and Canada. The tours included one-day motorcoach excursions to Atlantic City, sporting events, shows, and overnight trips to such destinations as Florida and Tennessee. Holiday Tours changed its name to Trans-Bridge Tours in 1980. Today, the tour company offers One-Day, Multi-Day, Casino Tours, and Air and Cruise Vacations.
Second Generation of Family Leadership
John, Joe, Camille and Camille’s husband, Jim JeBran, Sr. assumed stewardship of the company due to the passing of founder, AJ Ferraro. Trans-Bridge moves into second generation of family ownership.
Lehigh Valley Industrial Park
Trans-Bridge Lines and Tri-City Coach Lines, an additional family-owned charter coach company based in Bethlehem. Trans-Bridge merged and moved its operations, due to continued growth to a larger facility at Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, which remains the company’s headquarters today.
Continuing the Family-Operated Legacy
Jim JeBran, Sr., his wife Camille, and their sons Tom and Jim assumed ownership as John and Joe retired, continuing the family-operated legacy.
West Hunterdon Transit Company
Trans-Bridge Lines acquired West Hunterdon Transit Company, expanding service throughout the Lehigh Valley and into New Hope, Doylestown, and Quakertown, Pennsylvania, as well as Clinton, Flemington, and Lambertville, New Jersey.
Wall Street Service Launches
In response to increasing commuter demand, Trans-Bridge Lines launched Wall Street Service, providing direct transportation from the Lehigh Valley to Lower Manhattan—a service that continues today.
Jim Thorpe Transportation
The acquisition of Jim Thorpe Transportation (Lehigh Valley Motorcoach) further expanded Trans-Bridge’s service area across eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.
Six Decades of Trusted Travel
On February 5, Trans-Bridge Lines proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of continuous service and family-owned transportation excellence.
A Legacy Continues Into the Third Generation
Following the passing of Jim JeBran, Sr., Trans-Bridge Lines transitioned into third-generation family ownership under sons Tom and Jim.
Jersey City Service Launches
Expansion continues and offers service into Jersey City.
A Legacy Continues into the Third Generation
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption to the motorcoach industry. Due to public health restrictions and a sudden shift to remote work, Trans-Bridge Lines temporarily suspended service as ridership declines and many commuters transitioned to work-from-home positions.
Eight Decades on the Road
Trans-Bridge Lines proudly celebrated its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of continuous service, growth, and family-owned transportation excellence.
Today
Now in its fourth generation of leadership, the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based business continues to evolve while holding onto the resilience that has carried it through economic downturns, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and even a global pandemic. 2026 marks a milestone year as we proudly enter 85 years of service and trusted transportation.
More about us
What makes us great.
Safety
Not all motorcoach companies are equally safe. While there are stringent safety regulations in place at the federal level, they represent minimum safety requirements for a commercial motorcoach carrier of passengers to remain in business.
At Trans-Bridge Lines, equipment and passenger safety has been a priority since our start in 1941. An aggressive preventive maintenance program and continuous in-house inspections of equipment is the norm. We hire only highly qualified mechanics and continue to upgrade their skills by sending them to training classes.
Both the PA Department of Transportation and the NJ Department of Transportation complete an annual safety inspection of all our coaches. The US Department of Defense (DOD) also regularly inspects our facility and equipment. Trans-Bridge Lines is a certified and approved military carrier authorized to transport troops during times of emergency. In 2013, we received a “ONE” rating from the DOD again for our equipment, facility and terminal. “One” is the highest rating a carrier can achieve!
Driver safety is also a high priority at Trans-Bridge Lines. Many of our drivers have ten, twenty, thirty and more years of safe driving records. Several of those drivers have driven over one million miles without an accident. One million miles of accident-free driving equals 12 consecutive years of driving, which is about 6 trips to the moon!
At Trans-Bridge Lines, equipment and passenger safety has been a priority since our start in 1941. An aggressive preventive maintenance program and continuous in-house inspections of equipment is the norm. We hire only highly qualified mechanics and continue to upgrade their skills by sending them to training classes.
Both the PA Department of Transportation and the NJ Department of Transportation complete an annual safety inspection of all our coaches. The US Department of Defense (DOD) also regularly inspects our facility and equipment. Trans-Bridge Lines is a certified and approved military carrier authorized to transport troops during times of emergency. In 2013, we received a “ONE” rating from the DOD again for our equipment, facility and terminal. “One” is the highest rating a carrier can achieve!
Driver safety is also a high priority at Trans-Bridge Lines. Many of our drivers have ten, twenty, thirty and more years of safe driving records. Several of those drivers have driven over one million miles without an accident. One million miles of accident-free driving equals 12 consecutive years of driving, which is about 6 trips to the moon!
Fleet
The fleet consists of 64 full-size, standard MCI 56-passenger motorcoaches with all the standard amenities. Our newest MCI J4500’s feature elegant spiral entryways, plush tiered seating, onboard video monitors, 110-volt outlets for personal electronic devices and Wi-Fi connectivity. These coaches also feature a clean-diesel powertrain for nearly zero emissions to protect the environment.
Affiliations
Trans-Bridge Lines Inc. is a member in good standing of the American Bus Association, International Motorcoach Group, Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association, Pennsylvania Bus Association, Bus Association of New York and the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Trans-Bridge Tours Inc. is a member in good standing of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry association comprised of 63 cruise lines and 13,500 travel agencies representing more than 50,000 individual travel agents. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers and is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members.
Trans-Bridge Tours Inc. is a member in good standing of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry association comprised of 63 cruise lines and 13,500 travel agencies representing more than 50,000 individual travel agents. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers and is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members.