Can't believe I'm writing a review on the Park & Ride. Yes, I'm a tool.
This bus stop is extremely convenient for anyone who commutes into work, or just wants to go into NYC for the day. The Shortline bus will pick you up here, and drop you off right at Port Authority, which is located in Midtown on 42nd St. and 8th Ave. The trip takes exactly 35 mins from Ridgewood Park & Ride to Port Authority, and vice versa as long as there isn't heavy traffic.
You can find the link to the bus schedule online (http://www.coachusa.com/info/shortline/ss.toolkit.pdfschedules.asp) or at the little trailer located at the Park & Ride, which is also where you can buy tickets. The tickets are $9 either way, though you can buy a month's worth of tickets that amount to $6 per ticket. If you want to park your car here, you need a pass which I believe you can purchase at the same trailer. Otherwise, you can just opt to do metered parking with quarters. Either way, get here early in the morning on weekdays, since most of the parking spaces get taken before morning rush hour is over.
Also, make sure to arrive at least 5 minutes earlier than the expected time on the bus schedule, because the drivers don't always match the time correctly. Sometimes they run a bit late, but worse is when they get here early and decide to leave early. Just account for that if you're on a tight schedule.
The AirBrook shuttles also run here, with the ticket trailer all the way in the back behind the parking lot. The AirBrook shuttle takes you from here all the way to Newark airport, and goes both ways.
Notes:
Please be careful when you're driving in to the Park & Ride, because right next to the entrance is also the Park & Ride exit; and just before that, is another ramp that leads into the highway. A lot of the time, people pop out onto Route 17 without even checking to make sure they have room to get out, so be very careful when entering/exiting. read more