
"While ridership is obviously down from pre-pandemic levels, we can expect some rebound, just as we expect an eventual rebound in commercial real estate.” "DeCamp is quite possibly the first domino to fall, and we cannot expect NJ Transit or anyone else to fill this void," he said in a statement on Thursday. The state's Economic Development Authority would manage the fund, which would make potentially forgivable loans to private transit operators to allow them to continue operations during severe downturns. Richard Codey also proposed legislation this week to create a $60 million fund, similar to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, for private bus carriers. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) sent NJ Transit a letter urging it to use "all of the tools at its disposal" to make sure reliable service continued between North Jersey and Manhattan, "and to protect the good-paying union jobs that are now imperiled by route closures." The letter was co-signed by dozens of officials representing North Jersey communities. She encouraged residents of her community to give the NJ Transit service a try "so that we can maintain this important commuting lifeline into NYC."Įarlier this week, Rep. If the ridership is not there to support this direct to NYC bus service, they may eliminate it." They will be re-evaluating these routes in June to make service changes. "This is an emergency plan from NJ Transit to fill in this commuting bus service. "I want to make something very clear to residents," she wrote. But she warned that the new service isn't necessarily permanent.

Verona Councilmember Christine McGrath celebrated the NJ Transit announcement in a Facebook post on Friday, calling it "very good news four our community," and said the NJ Transit lines would be cheaper than their DeCamp equivalents. Boxcar planned to make the same stops DeCamp did along that route. The "Essex Express" route will follow Bloomfield Avenue from West Caldwell through Montclair, then take DeCamp's previous route up Park Avenue and Valley Avenue to Route 3. In addition, the private Boxcar service said on Thursday night that it would begin operating 10 buses between 5:30 a.m.
