Suburban, Academy, A Yankee Line and Charter Linkz bid on the $91 million contract ultimately awarded to Academy and approved by NJ Transit's board.

NJ Transit and union leadership announced a deal in March, but rank-and-file members overwhelmingly rejected it.

NJ Transit’s board on Wednesday approved the purchase of 228 buses, 20 of them electric, for $393.4 million, beginning a massive plan to replace more than 1,200 aging buses in five years.

including 30 private scheduled service routes in New Jersey and 35 routes in contract with NJ Transit. Among its most known brand names is the affordable intercity bus-booking brand, Megabus.