Senator Weinberg Advocating for a New Port Authority Bus Terminal -- updated

New Jersey State Senator Loretta Weinberg has set her sights on replacing the aging and outdated Port Authority Bus Terminal.  As we reported previously, the aging midtown terminal is plagued with delays, overcrowding and in need of major expansion.  Senator Weinberg has become active in this regard by conducting transit forums to hear rider complaints and attending Port Authority meetings.  We applaud Senator Weinberg in taking the lead in advocating for a new terminal but it will likely take years before any improvements will be seen. 

Senator Weinberg is taking written testimony regarding commuting problems into New York until July 7, and will be presenting at the NJT Board Meeting on July 9th.  You can e-mail your comments to her at:  SenWeinberg@njleg.org .

Delayed on NJ Transit

Social media these days is picking up much of the slack when it comes to reporting delays and over-crowding on NJ Transit's bus and rail service.  Who is better than frustrated riders who are stuck waiting for a bus or train to instantly report to fellow commuters about the delays?  One such Facebook and Twitter group called Delayed on NJ Transit  provides a convenient forum for NJ commuters to vent and to report delays so fellow riders can plan alternate routes.  The Twitter feed currently has over 1200 followers. 

The group also is conducting its own survey where NJ Transit commuters can give candid feedback regarding their commutes.

We commend this group on its efforts and recommend everyone to check these sites out - especially before the next commute.

Five Routes Picked For Bergen Bus Rapid Transit

As we reported previously, Bergen County is studying the possibility of creating a Bus Rapid Transit system.  Officials have decided on five potential routes:

• Paterson to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
• Montvale Park and Ride to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
• Garden State Plaza to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, via River Road
• Bergen Community College to the Secaucus Junction train station
• Englewood Hospital to the Secaucus Junction train station

A map of these proposed routes can be found here.

Although we applaud the idea for innovative new transit services, the Paterson to the GWB route is duplicative of the current NJT 171 as well as numerous jitneys servicing the corridor.  The Montvale route is duplicative of the Rockland Coaches Route 45 bus.  We don't see how these routes will provide a "Rapid" commute to New York without substantial improvements to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and express bus lanes to the GWB. 

The one interesting route is the proposed Garden State Plaza to the Port Authority via River Road.  This route would avoid the overcrowded XBL at the Lincoln Tunnel and could be a viable travel alternative if River Road can somehow be configured to truly create bus rapid transit.

Vintage Timetable of the Week - Rockland Coaches 10-14K (1981)

To commemorate the final passing of Rockland Coaches 14K line, here is a vintage timetable from 1981 showing combined service with the 10 route.  The 10 was discontinued in the 1980s.  The 14K had full time service to the George Washington Bridge until it was cut back to a couple of rush hour runs in the late 2000s.  Rockland Coaches eliminated the 14K in May 2014.  It still runs the 14E express service to the Port Authority at rush hour.

No Relief In Sight for Port Authority Bus Terminal Commuters

New Jersey commuters have known for quite some time how bad conditions are at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.  Riders have to wait each evening in long lines that wrap around the concourse.  Traffic around the Lincoln Tunnel is a nightmare, and getting worse.  Both Bloomberg and The Record have recently reported how the terminal is outdated, overcrowded, in disrepair, but yet there are no immediate plans to remedy the problems.

The Record reports how there is no space to park buses.  They have to travel empty back to New Jersey after their morning runs to park, only to return for the evening rush.  This creates even more traffic jams inbound at the Lincoln Tunnel and at the terminal.  An expanded or new terminal is needed, as well as a garage to park the buses. 

Capital funding for a bus garage, however, was withdrawn.  Yet the Port Authority is planning on spending $1.5 billion to extend the PATH line to Newark Airport. Instead of allocating funding to remedy problems at the bus terminal, the agency would rather spend billions to duplicate rail service that is already provided by NJ Transit.

There is a parking garage for cars on the top level of the terminal.  A short term solution could be to use this space for buses - but this is not in the Port Authority's plans.  We only suppose this is because the Port Authority would rather rake in $45 a day in daily parking fees to fill its coffers as opposed to providing more efficient public transportation.  The parking revenues alone could help fund improvements to the terminal.

Saddle River Tours Taking Over the 11C and 20/84 Routes Effective May 5th

Saddle River Tours is taking over the soon to be discontinued Rockland Coaches 11C and 20/84 Routes beginning Monday May 5th with their new Ameribus Service.  They have cut one run on the 20/84 in each direction.  They have also cut several more 11C runs with the last bus leaving the GWB at 6:45 on weekdays.   The weekday 8:45PM trip to Spring Valley has been eliminated from the new weekday schedule, but it will continue to run on weekends.  They are also providing very limited weekend service on the 11C with only 3-4 buses in each direction. 

We wish them luck but this will not help increase ridership or alleviate the crowding at the PABT and Lincoln Tunnel.  To increase GWB ridership, innovative new services need to be introduced including exclusive bus lanes over the bridge, more convenient service, introduction of express runs, and service to midtown via the east side.  

Continued Confusion Surrounding Rockland Coaches Impending GWB Bus Cuts

With less than a week to go, the Journal News is reporting on the confusion surrounding the company's elimination of its 11C, 14K and 20/84 Routes to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.  Many riders believe that the Rockland Route 20 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal is also being cut, which isn't the case.  The article notes that these routes only make up 5% of Rockland's revenue and account for 8% of its total passengers.  This is hardly surprising considering the company previously substantially cut back service on these routes.

There is also confusion regarding who will operate the 11C and 20/84 starting May 5th.  It has been announced that GWB service on the 14K, down to only 3 daily runs, will be discontinued.   Riders of the 11C and 20/84 still don't know who will operate the routes starting on May 5th, but there is continued speculation that NJ Transit may take over the routes in some form.