Submitted by rollotomasi07071 t3_11wng3x in newjersey
Comments
thebruns t1_jcyyblg wrote
Fun fact, Kearny had commuter rail service just 20 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_station_(NJ_Transit)
Hrekires t1_jcyzegm wrote
There's even a cute neighborhood around where the train station was with some apartment buildings, restaurants, and delis. Kinda felt bad for them all when the station closed.
With DeCamp pulling out, pretty sure that means no way to get from Kearny to NYC other than taking a bus to Newark Penn or a bus to the train station in East Rutherford but no one-seat rides as close as it is.
impracticable t1_jcz3b2i wrote
does the Path in Harrison not count as a way into the city?
Hrekires t1_jcz3zkd wrote
It's definitely not a one-seat ride into the city given that you have to either drive to the PATH station (and pay for parking) or take a bus there that's just as long as the bus to Newark.
impracticable t1_jcz4zfk wrote
I know this isn’t for everyone, but I live in Kearny and walk to the PATH station every day, lol. It really is not that far.
Hrekires t1_jcz5xie wrote
Definitely not for everyone. Lol
Google Maps lists it as a 1 hour walk from my parents' house to the PATH station, and then another 50 minutes via mass transit + walking from the PATH to my office.
The original post here was pointing out that it's crazy for it to take less time for me to commute in from further away in Cranford.
impracticable t1_jcz8q9g wrote
Interesting. My entire commute door to desk, including a walk to the PATH and intentional detours for comfort, is only about 50 minutes, and. costs me about $6 per day on a one-off basis. On a day where I really don't feel like walking I can take a shuttle bus to the PATH and shave 20 minutes off, but I really prefer not to do that.
If I were to take the DeCamp bus, Google says my commute would be (1) a 20 minutes walk to the DeCamp stop (2) 37 minutes on the DeCamp bus (3) 20 minutes on the NYC subway (4) another 5 minutes walk to my office, for a grand total of about 1 hour and 22 minutes, and a cost of about $20 per day on a one-off. basis.
I think there's a reason why so many people who live in town work downtown rather than uptown (and why that number seems to increasing proportionally), and it is likely part of the reason why the economies of running these routes no longer makes sense for DeCamp.
thebruns t1_jczp46n wrote
You know Kearny extends beyond your home right?
Its a 45 minute walk from the closed train station to PATH
impracticable t1_jczpy76 wrote
Yeah, I specifically said "I know this isn't for everyone," and I made commentary about why I think these factors are precisely why we're seeing development in the areas we are, and changes to the demographic to support the type of commuting that I do and away from other types of commuting. The geographical location of Kearny suits one much more heavily over the other.
pu1pfriction t1_jd0ek4m wrote
Even from ShopRite it's an almost 30 minute walk to the PATH station and that's probably one of the southernmost places in Kearny
Atuk-77 t1_jczz1gy wrote
Paying for parking and then a path ticket is less expensive than driving into the city.
[deleted] t1_jd1flgb wrote
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Nexis4Jersey t1_jcz957m wrote
The PATH is only good if you're within walking distance of the Harrison Station or are transferring from a connecting service at Newark Penn. Frank Rodgers during rush hour is gridlock ,and it's like that for 2hrs in the morning and 2hrs in the evening. So driving down from Kearny might take 45-1hr...
impracticable t1_jcza89t wrote
What? No. Lol. This is an extraordinary and extreme exaggeration. I have driven in and out of the Harrison PATH many times during rush hour and it takes 10-15 minutes tops. The only time it’s gridlock is if there’s a Red Bulls game.
Nexis4Jersey t1_jczc0b3 wrote
Is it? Traffic is backed up deep into the Ironbound and It's been like that during rush hour more so in the afternoon for the last 5 or 6 yrs. Game days are just the icing on the cake...
impracticable t1_jczc689 wrote
I have no idea what happens in Newark. This was about commuting from Kearny to Harrison, not from Newark to Harrison lol. I would imagine that the layout of the roads in Newark creates some heavy bottlenecks, though.
kravikula t1_jczje8v wrote
The problem is the traffic lights after Jackson St Bridge coming out of Newark work in funky out sync way.
Seriously from the bridge to the Harrison path station is a good 15 min to , plus all the bottle neck those light helped generate in Newark.
After the Harrison path station it tends to flow better.
thebruns t1_jcyzm4n wrote
One would hope NJT steps up with replacement service, but Murphy doesnt really care
StuMaximuss t1_jd2h8mw wrote
That’s a ridiculous statement. You’re probably a covid denying trump traitor who trolls writers on patch.com
Those knuckleheads blame Murphy for everything
NJT was the LEASE HOLDER for DeCamp, they will take over those routes and make everyone’s life better
thebruns t1_jd2qfj0 wrote
Take your meds grandpa
StuMaximuss t1_jd5pfki wrote
Take my foot up your ass junior.
StuMaximuss t1_jd2foj3 wrote
It will be a boost to them, Decamp was a shitty unreliable company. NJT will be better for all of them.
getshwifty2 t1_jcyzu5d wrote
Yikes, I use this everyday. As a commuter from Bloomfield can anyone share alternate commutes from NYC that are efficient?
fraggle-rocket t1_jcz7efm wrote
My friend lives in Bloomfield, she take the train from the station in Bloomfield to NY penn station.
WaldoJeffers65 t1_jczw5u7 wrote
The problem is that the NJ Transit still doesn't have full service on weekends- there are only a few trains on Saturday, and none on Sunday.
maurwhal t1_jd1fry3 wrote
This is a little misleading and incorrect. There are trains every two hours on the weekends, you just need to transfer at Newark Broad Street and hop on the Dover line to get to NY Penn, which is just walking off the train and on to the one on the other side of the platform. If you don't transfer, the train goes to Hoboken and you can easily take the PATH.
thebruns t1_jd039yr wrote
DeCamp also did not offer Sunday service
WaldoJeffers65 t1_jd0pa4y wrote
Didn't they offer it before Covid?
StuMaximuss t1_jd2hbwa wrote
They ran 7 days a week
FTPLTL t1_jd2gwdh wrote
Yes they did.
xrayvision1 t1_jd2ze1r wrote
I take the 33 from Port Authority to Bloomfield every Sunday.
thebruns t1_jd318rl wrote
Why does their website say otherwise?
xrayvision1 t1_jd31znt wrote
The website says the 33 doesn't run on weekends? Can you send me a link to what webpage you're looking at?
Here's a link to the schedules for the 66, 44/99 and 33:
https://decamp.com/commuter-services/schedules-routes/
66 and 33 offers weekend service. I've been taking the 33 on Sundays for years.
thebruns t1_jd336bt wrote
Looks like I misread the website, thank you for the correction
Nexis4Jersey t1_jcz8i0n wrote
Depends on which part of Bloomfield your in and where your going.. The train is only good if you live in the lower half of the town. If you live in the Upper half then I would drive over to the Allwood Park & Ride and use NJT Bus to Midtown Manhattan.
getshwifty2 t1_jcz9o29 wrote
Yeah I’m in north Bloomfield by the park so I probably would have to drive to allwood.
remarkability t1_jczmiad wrote
Bloomfield has a municipality-run jitney (divided into two areas, north and south) which connects to four trains at Bloomfield Station in the morning, and five in the afternoon, rush directions.
That might work for you, but Allwood is a great option too.
https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/332/Bloomfield-Shuttle
It’s effectively $0.50/ride, although you buy a punch pass of 50 rides for $25 (nonexpiring)
North end shuttle PDF schedule: https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/DocumentCenter/View/10149/North-End-Bus-Route-September-27-2021
South end shuttle PDF schedule: https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/DocumentCenter/View/10150/South-End-Bus-Route-September-27-2021
Inclement service schedule: https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/DocumentCenter/View/10151/Level-1-and-Level-2-Notification
[deleted] t1_jcz8hgr wrote
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LateNightNewYork t1_jczr4rn wrote
Depending on where you are in Bloomfield, the Grove Street stop of the Newark Light Rail takes you directly into Newark Penn Station.
jotson5 t1_jczl6ol wrote
Depends on the part of town, there is a shuttle to the bus.
https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/332/Bloomfield-Shuttle
I’m in the northern part of town and used to walk to Styertowne for the bus.
Driving to the train is also an option, lots of free parking at Lyndhurst. Other stations, not so much, unless you are there earlier. Think you can also get a permit for the Bloomfield Station.
getshwifty2 t1_jd0hjro wrote
Wait, there is free parking at lyndhurst?! I'm in north bloomfield so usually when I miss the last Decamp bus I come in at Styertowne for the bus.
jotson5 t1_jd0ovv2 wrote
Yes, in the Home Goods/Shop Rite lot.
Kamandi62 t1_jcznoww wrote
When I was commuting to the city from Bloomfield, I took the Bloomfield town shuttle to the train station and then took that to Penn Station. Took me about 50 minutes from front door to my desk. I live right near The Mansion at Oakside.
getshwifty2 t1_jd0hqhk wrote
You know I've been living in Bloomfield for a few years now and I've never noticed a Grove St. Shuttle at all. Interesting I'll have to look into it or use the Allwood Park and ride.
mikeypoopypants t1_jd0tglk wrote
I do right near allwood park and ride and take the 195, or 192 sometimes.
the_last_carfighter t1_jcz267x wrote
getshwifty2 t1_jcz3efz wrote
Thanks for the help but there are multiple aspects of a commute that go beyond googling it .
xrayvision1 t1_jd313yx wrote
Such as where in Bloomfield you are, right? Since you didn't disclose that, a Google search seems appropriate.
During the DeCamp Covid period, I would take the 709 to to Allwood Rd and Burlington Road and wait for the 191 or 195. Same on the way back. I would avoid the 192 as it takes the scenic route. Maybe not that efficient, but I couldn't find a better way from my house in Bloomfield. Luckily, I am a short walk from a stop for the 709. Using the NJT's trip planner is your best bet.
Nexis4Jersey t1_jcz5fsm wrote
Hopefully NJT takes over the routes like they did with Red&Tan in Hudson County. This is 5th bus company to fold in the last 5 yrs in this region...
throw495887 t1_jcze121 wrote
The concept of privately-operated bus lines in a first world country is a little bit ridiculous. The only reason they survive is with handouts from NJT like free leased buses. At worst you have companies like Academy bilking the state for millions by lying about the number of buses that they ran. If the state stopped treating these carriers with kid gloves they would’ve all been out of business decades ago.
dirty_cuban t1_jd08ac9 wrote
You know I actually like New Jersey. I don’t hate the state or disagree with the politicians. I don’t mind paying my SALT taxes (of which we pay a shit load). I have no desire to move south. But there a lot of seriously entrenched corruption in this state that should be cleaned up.
Nexis4Jersey t1_jczh77f wrote
Ameribus was complaining about NJT not giving them buses... Someone told me in the 90s they sued the state to break up the monopoly NJT held...but most of them could not keep up the service levels that NJT had and now it looks like NJT will probably absorb some more routes.
nugudan t1_jd0cdfl wrote
Buses are privately run and publicly subsidized in Japan, UK, Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, etc. - unless you want to argue that those are not first world countries.
throw495887 t1_jd0gc87 wrote
Yes, it may be common in Japan and the UK. And these countries aren't really known for high quality bus service. Buses in London are good but these are run on a contract system, not similar to the situation that Decamp, Coach USA, etc have. And when you go out to other parts of Britain the quality drops off a lot.
I don't know anything about the other countries you mentioned. It's still a minority of countries. With high labor costs for bus drivers it is extremely difficult if not impossible to make bus service run profitably.
StuMaximuss t1_jd2hqsc wrote
Which is why we pay taxes in NJ, NJT was cheaper per month. BECAUSE we subsidized with taxes and it wasn’t a for profit business.
Fuck private buses in NJ. This is great news.
STMIHA t1_jczgxmj wrote
This it’s likely the case. The routes were technically party of an agreement with NJT
getshwifty2 t1_jd0hv1i wrote
This would be fantastic if it ends up true. The NJT app itself would make life easier.
e_harzun t1_jd0tuzo wrote
This is common, even pre-pandemic?
IntoTheRealm t1_jcz60rb wrote
They couldn’t retain drivers if their lives counted on it, they got all that assistance and still provided a subpar service. They never had digital tickets, their ticket window at port authority had spotty hours. They never adapted to the times. Hopefully the 33 route is taken over by NJ Transit but not holding my breath with that one.
getshwifty2 t1_jcz8i2g wrote
That dude who works at the ticket window at port authority had to be the angriest man I’ve met and that says a lot for port authority .
Own-Chemical-9112 t1_jd1c6iu wrote
Lol he was the worst
xrayvision1 t1_jd36awa wrote
Big black dude? He freaked out on me two weeks ago for talking through the slats in the window instead of the speaker (I didn't realize there was a speaker). I asked what his name is and he answer with "the boss, I'm the boss." Talk about someone that needs to feel powerful by being a dick to others for no reason. Yeah, the guy that hands out tickets is "the boss."
The thin older woman isn't that pleasant, either. They act like they're doing you a favor by selling you tickets. I hate dealing with them so much that I buy a bunch for the year in advance. Great, now I've got a pile of useless tickets.
Nexis4Jersey t1_jcz81f1 wrote
Coach USA is the same, although they did switch to digital last yr. They cut back on service in 2019 and made further cuts over the Pandemic. Some of there cut routes went to Ameribus but even that folded due to lower then expected ridership and NJT being a pain.
throw495887 t1_jcyzi3w wrote
With Decamp gone NJT is now finally allowed to run buses on the former Decamp routes. That would actually be a service improvement for the people who use those buses.
If you live in an area that had decamp service you should be writing to all your local reps and NJT now.
getshwifty2 t1_jcyzyqb wrote
This sounds great. I wonder what the chances of this happening are.
thebruns t1_jcz330r wrote
> NJT is now finally allowed to run buses on the former Decamp routes.
Is there an actual law related to this?
throw495887 t1_jczbxdw wrote
NJ Transit seems to interpret NJSA 27:25-2d to mean that they can’t run buses on a line that a private company already “owns.”
In every relevant court case I’ve been able to find, NJ Transit has won over private operators. But to be fair they also avoid any competition with private operators in the first place. I think NJT is happy to use it as an excuse regardless of the legal validity.
thebruns t1_jczok9j wrote
> NJSA 27:25-2d
Wait, THIS is what theyre citing???
> d. In the provision of public transportation services, it is desirable to encourage to the maximum extent feasible the participation of private enterprise and to avoid destructive competition.
They go as far as to stop people from getting off the 107 bus at EWR because it competes with Coach because of THAT?
throw495887 t1_jd00ynq wrote
They also give coach USA free buses. It’s pretty dumb.
thebruns t1_jd01sbg wrote
Yeah the buses Coach USA keeps parked all day instead of running service
SeanRyanNJ t1_jcz264o wrote
I almost moved to North Arlington and would have had to use a DeCamp bus to commute to the city. I was not at all familiar with DeCamp so it was one the reasons I went with a different apartment in Rutherford which does not lack in public transit options.
mdp300 t1_jcz2ohe wrote
Wow. My dad took decamp into the city most days for 40 years, sad to see it fine. It was super convenient for our neighborhood.
Foef_Yet_Flalf t1_jcz9pge wrote
Bring back the lower Boonton (NY&GL) and do it yesterday. Do not make a rail trail.
Actually, while we're at it, rebuild the Newark branch right-of-way as a Newark light rail extension to Clifton. Having it extend all the way to Paterson is probably untenable since the Main line occupies that space now, and you can't comingle. You could build an overpass or a tunnel from Broad St station to reach 4th Ave. Hell you could street-run it for all it matters, there are thousands of potential daily riders and plenty of room for redevelopment and transit-oriented communities.
rollotomasi07071 OP t1_jczbwzp wrote
What's your quick estimate on the cost to repair/replace the DB Drawbridge over the Hackensack River and where would the money come from?
thebruns t1_jd03vgo wrote
The pentagon budget for this year is $820 billion. There is no shortage of money.
Nexis4Jersey t1_jd2duok wrote
Actually you don't have to use that Bridge as you could just simple use one of the Abandoned lines that branch off before the bridge and connect into the Morristown line.
Foef_Yet_Flalf t1_jd6p1f8 wrote
There's an old right-of-way that bypasses the Drawbridge that originally connected with the pre-Hoboken lines to Exchange place, but could now plausibly connect up with the Morris & Essex line just West of the Lower Hack lift. Granted it runs right through a superfund site
moody4foody t1_jcz819s wrote
I always used to take the 33 into NYC. I wonder if NJ Transit will pick up some of the bus lines, that really sucks.
goren__flaxovich t1_jd0u741 wrote
Unlikely. They barely use the lines they have now
Own-Chemical-9112 t1_jd1bzso wrote
NJ Transit needs to take over these lines!
mushroomsandroses t1_jczhb3t wrote
I remember using them as a teen to get to and from NYC on weekends when the trains didn't run to my town. Hated them, but I don't know what I would have done without them.
parisiMa3 t1_jczj9y0 wrote
I just started going back into the city multiple times a week for work and it was so convenient for me to walk a couple minutes over to Bloomfield ave in Verona and get picked up. Gonna be difficult to figure this one out without having to buy a car or uber to a train/bus stop every day. Hoping someone takes over the route!
ascagnel____ t1_jczsjxe wrote
Verona is in kind of a weird spot. There's the 195 bus that goes up Pompton Ave in Cedar Grove, there's a bunch of train stations in Montclair (and depending on where you are in Verona, the MSU park & ride may be a good option), but most of northwest Essex County (Verona, the Caldwells, Essex Fells, Fairfield), is kind of a transit desert without DeCamp.
thebruns t1_jd03xnp wrote
> buy a car or uber to a train/bus stop every day
You can bike to the stop
No-Horse987 t1_jd15kzo wrote
The DeCamp buses were very convenient for Bloomfield; Montclair; West Orange. etc. I don't think that NJ Transit will take over that service, since they are doing a lot of revamping of their own bus lines. DeCamp will surely be missed for transit into NYC.
angusshangus t1_jd1eyrz wrote
Damn. This sucks for Verona and the Caldwells
angusshangus t1_jd1fzmu wrote
As a Verona resident the decamp bus was my only way to get into city in a single shot. I guess it’ll be the train from walnut street or Bay Street. Is motorcycle parking free there or do you need to pay for a spot? What’s the parking situation like?
vague_diss t1_jczm8n2 wrote
Our town has been mostly without direct NYC service since DeCamp stopped because of the pandemic. We have to drive to Lyndhurst or Clifton for train service and then change lines in Secaucus. Its not the end of the world but its pretty inconvenient. I’m sure its going to impact property values long term.
e_harzun t1_jd0tpis wrote
What town if u don’t mind me asking?
StuMaximuss t1_jd2fjj9 wrote
Good fucking riddance. Decamp was a shitty bus company that had a monopoly where NJT was letting them operate because the family that owned them had been in the area doing business since covered wagon days. The buses were never on time in the decade plus that I lived in Bloomfield, I was late so many times because buses just wouldn’t show up or would be so packed that they’d just pass me by. I had to commute on BICYCLE to the nearest area (Clifton) to have access to more buses and not lose my job (happened way more than a few times over the years I lived there).
Fuck em. Now NJT will expand in to those areas, allow bulk monthly sales that decamp did NOT. Their multi packs EXPIRED within a few month earning them bigger profits if you had weeks between freelance jobs like I did.
So glad to hear they’re done, all those areas it served will be better off with NJT.
throw495887 t1_jd3eo7k wrote
Please contact all your state reps, the governor, and NJ Transit. NJT taking over these routes is not a given. They are already in rough financial shape after the pandemic. We need to make this a political issue.
StuMaximuss t1_jd5pad9 wrote
It will be a political issue when all of central Bloomfield moves away. Lots of apartment units quite a few commuters all along those cursed routes.
mushroomsandroses t1_jdajubq wrote
Yeah, my experience with DeCamp included a lot of waiting for late or missed buses in the dingy basement of Port Authority.
And that one time we had a driver who had to be either severely sleep-deprived or under the influence from the way he was driving. Fucking unsettling.
They were better than not being able to go into New York at all, but by god did I hate having to rely on them.
Bitter-Preparation-8 t1_jd07yeq wrote
Paywall removed:
Prior-University2842 t1_jcyx8hb wrote
Bulllllllshiiittttt
Existing-Orchid6128 t1_jd22bs9 wrote
Wow I remember my commute Nutley to NYC on the Decamp what a shame
jasonsawtelle t1_jd0xx3d wrote
Interesting in light of jockeying for grants to extend the light rail.
sugarintheboots t1_jczn6gw wrote
Cue Montclair crying.
Dick_Demon t1_jd169jj wrote
?? Montclair has 7 NJT train stops.
aTribeCalledLemur t1_jd1c535 wrote
So many train stops..but the weekend service on that line is abysmal.
throw495887 t1_jd1g1qw wrote
The town lobbied NJT to run less trains on weekends to avoid noise. Montclair can fuck off. If you don’t want public transit then you don’t get it.
sugarintheboots t1_jd18u77 wrote
Yea I know. But let the kvetching begin!
thebruns t1_jcyycpy wrote
DeCamp more like DeBust amirite
getshwifty2 t1_jcz0ghu wrote
Boom. Roasted.
Hrekires t1_jcyuuz4 wrote
That's going to be a real blow to some towns.
It's wild to me that I can literally stand on my parents' front porch in Kearny and see the Manhattan skyline, but it takes me longer to commute into the city from there than it does from my house in Cranford 30 minutes further away.