Officials hope to drive out plan to kill bus lines

Many local commuters and officials are speaking out against NJ Transit’s plan to eliminate three bus routes that service the area.

The public transportation company’s proposal to nix the bus lines is part of a larger plan to increase fares by 25 percent and trim service throughout the state in order to close a $300 million budget deficit. However, East Brunswick officials, along with state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) have asked Gov. Chris Christie and NJ Transit officials to reconsider the cuts, and have been troubleshooting the impacts of the move since its March 5 announcement.

“This will clearly have a detrimental effect on the residents of East Brunswick who use these buses every day,” Mayor David Stahl said during Monday’s Township Council meeting.

Stahl said the elimination of bus lines 68 (Old Bridge-Weehawken), 134 (Browntown Lower Manhattan) and 138 (Old Bridge-East Brunswick-New York) would become effective April 1 if NJ Transit decides to go ahead with the plan. The buses currently offer local service, as well as express service during rush hour, for residents of the Old Bridge, Spotswood, Monroe and East Brunswick area to travel to and from Manhattan, as well as Jersey Gold Coast municipalities Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken.

The 134 line runs between Route 516 in Old Bridge and New York and makes four stops along Route 18 in East Brunswick. The 68 line makes similar stops but runs to Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City. The 138 line runs between Old Bridge and New York, with several stops in Monroe, Spotswood and East Brunswick.

Commuters who use the lines, which make stops on a variety of local and county roads, would need to seek alternative routes, such as riding one of the bus lines that travel on Route 9 or using East Brunswick parkand ride garages on Route 18. Stahl said private carriers with routes similar to the defunct NJ Transit bus line would still be available as well.

Councilwoman Camille Ferraro noted that local service to Civic Center Drive would also be discontinued.

“The announcement was made in enough time to address concerns associated with the changes and possibly come to a compromise,” Stahl said, noting that questions regarding ticket refunds and other practical concerns would be answered before such a move is implemented.

Buono released a statement Monday indicating that she has requested a meeting between NJ Transit Executive Director Jim Weinstein, Stahl and herself to “discuss other viable cost-saving options.”

While public hearings in Paterson, Newark, Trenton, Manalapan, Secaucus, Morristown and Long Branch and information sessions in Atlantic City, Hackensack and New York have been scheduled for March 25-27, Buono said no dates have been set in East Brunswick or anywhere else in Middlesex County.

Stahl and Buono requested that a public hearing be scheduled to accommodate township residents.

“They deserve to have their voices heard,” Stahl said.

Both officials have been inundated with phone calls from affected commuters since last Friday’s announcement.

“One of my constituents said it best,” Buono said. “ ‘It is beyond my comprehension that the only three bus lines being discontinued in their entirety serve East Brunswick and the surrounding communities. We also know that these bus lines do not have ridership issues that would warrant their elimination. I should know, because I take the bus every day, and more often than not, there are always a number of riders who have to stand because there are no seats.’All the commuters we heard from echo similar concerns.”

Stahl noted that Township Chief Financial Officer Lou Neely is a “guiding force” on the transportation issue, and said he will keep the public fully informed with up-to-date information.

Neely is hopeful that the final outcome will not be so severe.

“I’m confident that if it’s not reversed, another carrier will be stepping up and providing service,” he said. “I promise we will not leave residents stranded.”

In the meantime, Ferraro suggested that residents vocalize their concerns to NJ Transit.

“This is a terrible oversight,” she said. “You don’t have to flood the phone lines, but you do need to keep up on this. Take the time to visit the NJ Transit website, and maybe share with them your thoughts.”