Pedestrians walk past an entrance to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Commuters who rode DeCamp bus line, which suspended service to and from New York, are being offered options by NJ Transit and Suburban Transit.
Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com (TNS)
With DeCamp buses rolling to a halt on August 7, what options are out there for commuters who rode its buses?
DeCamp suspended service at midnight Friday because ridership was too low to cover costs, after the company resumed service in June. Similar to other private commuter bus carriers, DeCamp shut down during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak and restarted in the summer when restrictions started to be lifted.
DeCamp’s daily riders totaled in the hundreds, compared to the 5,500 to 7,000 daily passengers who rode before COVID-19 restrictions prompted people to work from home, officials said.
For former DeCamp bus line riders who still need to commute, NJ Transit and Coach USA-Suburban Transit officials said they have some options for them.
NJ Transit bus will cross honor DeCamp tickets on certain buses and trains between Saturday, August 8 and Aug. 31, said Nancy Snyder, an NJ Transit spokeswoman.
DeCamp tickets will be honored on Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton rail lines. Service has been restored on the Montclair-Boonton line, but remains suspended on the M&E until damage from Tropical Storm Isaias is repaired.
Some NJ Transit bus routes serve some areas that DeCamp routes served, Snyder said. They include NJ Transit route 28 and 29 buses, serving different sections of Bloomfield Avenue that were served by DeCamp 32, 33 and 88 routes.
NJ Transit also has routes in towns served by DeCamp, including Route 13 in Nutley that feeds NJ Transit rail stations. Commuter routes 191/195 serve Little Falls, the 191 bus also serves Montclair, route 324 provides express service from the Wayne Transit Center and routes 192/199 serve the Allwood Park and Ride, she said.
Coach USA-Suburban Transit will cross-honor valid DeCamp tickets between August 10 through August 31.
Coach USA’s West Orange Arena and Essex Green locations on the 77 Line are viable alternatives for DeCamp customers who can give their DeCamp tickets to a Coach USA driver to ride the bus this month, officials said.
“We are pleased to be in a unique situation wherein we are able to work together with DeCamp to keep Jersey strong and offer a convenient solution for the commuting public,” said Scott Sprengel, Executive Vice President of Coach USA.
Coach USA also has launched a new contactless digital ticketing system for select commuter services on July 1. It can be downloaded from the Coach USA website.
DeCamp’s problem is indicative of a larger crisis in the bus and motor coach industry nationwide after the charter business collapsed due to COVID-19. Destinations such as theme parks, Broadway theaters, stadiums and arenas that groups would charter buses to mostly remain closed.
Unlike the airlines and public transit, private bus carriers did not receive assistance from the CARES Act. Another bill would extend aid to bus and other transportation companies.
“The partnership with Coach USA is very welcomed and we are happy to see commuters will have an option while our routes are suspended” said Jonathan DeCamp, Vice President of DeCamp Bus Lines.
While some commuters suggested that NJ Transit should absorb DeCamp’s commuter routes, that is not possible, Snyder said.
“NJ Transit is committed to help facilitate a smooth transition for customers and will continue to work with DeCamp as the transportation sector feels the impacts of the pandemic and then enters the recovery process,” she said. “However NJ Transit does not have the resources to absorb DeCamp’s lines.”
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
___
(c)2020 NJ Advance Media Group, Edison, N.J.
Visit NJ Advance Media Group, Edison, N.J. at www.nj.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
"bus" - Google News
August 10, 2020 at 06:02PM
https://ift.tt/3kzgbmj
NJ: After private bus company stops service, NJ Transit and Coach USA offer help for riders - MassTransitMag.com
"bus" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2rp2JL3
https://ift.tt/3aT1Mvb
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NJ: After private bus company stops service, NJ Transit and Coach USA offer help for riders - MassTransitMag.com"
Post a Comment