Informant38

A visibly annoyed bus driver, trying to use alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike yesterday, responded to passengers' questions about where he was going by saying he was taking them "to the Taliban," authorities and passengers said.

Moments later, passengers were on their cell phones calling 911 -- sparking a massive police response.

A witness reported seeing at least 19 patrol cars speeding to the scene late yesterday afternoon as authorities wondered if the Greyhound bus, en route from Philadelphia to New York City, was involved in a possible terrorism incident.

It was "apparently a big overreaction," Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye said.