General
jitney
What does jitney mean?
An informal shared shuttle bus or van running a route for a cheap flat fare, common in parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
"Take the jitney down Flatbush, it's quicker than the bus."
Origin
Early 20th-century American slang ('jitney' = a nickel fare); persists in NYC for dollar vans and shuttles.
Frequently asked questions
What is a jitney?
It's an informal shared shuttle bus or van that runs a route for a cheap flat fare, common in parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
Where does the word 'jitney' come from?
It's early 20th-century American slang for a nickel fare, and it persists in NYC for dollar vans and shuttles.
How is a jitney different from a regular bus?
A jitney is typically an informal, privately run van or small bus, often quicker and cheaper than the scheduled city bus on the same route.
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