I've been hearing the rumors but was unable to find anything in the news, nor reach someone to talk to at the bus company, but it is true. If you ride the #16, 99 or #4 bus they are cutting and cancelling service because of "poor ridership" I have never been on an empty bus on these lines and in fact they are overcrowded most times because of all of the students who commute from e & Greenville area to get to #3 & #4 schools in downtown jc.


So tonight there was a woman riding the #4 bus handing out flyers for a meeting tomorrow night at #4 school to complain to the mayor, city council and the bus company. If you need these buses, even if its only once in a blue moon, please speak out. If you can not make the meeting, there is a phone# for you to call & complain.

Meeting: Wednesday January 9th at 6pm
#4 school (I think the entrance is on Bright St, its next door to #3 school and across the street from the Medical Center)

If you wish to speak at the meeting, call:201-547-5204

To complain to the bus company (who claims no one has complained) 908-354-3330

Article from Jersey Journal:

http://www.nj.com/jjournal/stories/in ... 98739522167350.xml&coll=3

Riders protest Greenville bus cuts planned for Jan.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
By AMY SARA CLARK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Two routes that serve Greenville commuters will be discontinued next month, Jersey City officials confirmed yesterday.

The Nos. 99 and 16 routes are being terminated because of low ridership and rising fuel costs, city officials say they were told. The last day of service on the routes will be Jan. 13, they said.
Red and Tan officials refused to immediately comment on the changes.

City officials said they're currently in talks with Red and Tan's parent company, Coach USA, to see if changes can be made to the No. 4 route so it can serve some of the areas impacted by the canceled routes.

"We want people to know that we understand how important it is for the public to have several transportation options to get to and from work," said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill. She added that the city also plans to ask state officials to help stop Coach USA and other private carriers from continuing to abandon routes.

Jerome Choice, 49, and Adriene Bryant, supervisors at the Hudson County welfare office in Journal Square, are accustomed to getting to work in about 20 minutes. Both figure the new commute will take an hour, with 25 minutes spent walking to the bus stop.

Choice lives on Suydam Avenue and says he's been riding the No. 16 for 20 years. He only learned of the changes a few days ago from a notice posted on one the buses. "I ride the bus every day and I was not aware of it."

Bryant lives on Garfield Avenue near Fulton Avenue, and is in poor health with diabetes and a lung condition. She gets the No. 99 bus on Ocean Avenue, but she'll have to go to Jackson or Bergen Avenue, another 31/2 to five blocks away.

"It's a disgrace," she said. "I think no one cares. Jersey City is being rebuilt and that's fine, but they are forgetting about the African-American community because they're most affected by these changes."

"I think it's a prejudice thing, because the buses taken away are only affecting the black area," agreed Clara Williams, who lives on Garfield Avenue near Ocean. She said she got tired of waiting for the 99, and now walks over to Martin Luther King Drive and rides the NJ Transit No. 87 bus. She said she has contacted the Rev. Al Sharpton to see if he'll get involved.

"I'm very upset about it," said Councilman Michael Sottolano. "The lack of bus service in the Greenville area has been decreasing steadily."

The No. 99 operates between Merritt Street, Ocean Avenue and Journal Square, with connections to New York City via route 99S.

The No. 16 operates between Journal Square and 18th Street, via Bergen Avenue, Monticello Avenue, Communipaw Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Grand Street, the Jersey City Medical Center, Grove Street Station, Washington Street and Newport mall.

The No. 4 operates between Merritt Street and Newport Mall via Ocean Avenue, Communipaw Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Grand Street, Jersey City Medical Center, Grove Street Station, Montgomery Street, Exchange Place and Washington Street.

Thank you for posting this!....Also the Communipaw Ave Block Association will have a meeting on January 14th as a follow up at the Monumental Baptist Church at 7 pm. Viola and others will be there. We need as many people as possible to support the Bergen Lafayette community, and Greenville of course!

if you call the bus company they pass you to voicemail. they are liars, there have plenty people complaining.

There's a similar situation hapening with the 99S bus service in The Heights. See this thread . There's info you might find valuable.

"Public" transportation?

We've heard from the carrier -- the lines aren't profitable. But they don't operate in a vacuum. It's not a 99c store; it's a bus line that serves whole segments of citizenry.

If you live in the McGinley Square area, elimination of the #16 will remove all access to the Junction, Communipaw East and Liberty State Park areas. The #87 goes down Monticello, but it continues on MLK, veering west instead of east. You really have to get off at Communipaw and walk those long blocks down the hill (to say nothing of back up it, at some point), a risky proposition at any hour.

And btw, I've called too. Who is accountable?

This is my assessment of the situation---and I say in advance that some of this is speculation. At some point, Coach USA, seeking to expand in the area, probably privatized certain bus lines from NJ Transit, thinking there would be high ridership, and that it would be profitable. These lines do primarily serve the African American community. From experience I can say there is high ridership--every time I ride the 4 or 99 it is at least 3/4 full, and I often have to stand. I don't know enough about transportation economics to understand why these lines are not also profitable, but I am guessing it is because this type of service (low fare/short distance/frequent stops) typically does not make a bus company rich. Therefore, it probably cannot be privatized successfully, and NJ Transit needs to step up and take over these lines.

I lived in the Heights before B-L and usually rode the 123 into Port Authority. The ridership varied, but I suspect you won't see any cuts to NJ Transit bus lines that cart segments of the population with the loudest voice. We can't let this fall through the cracks.

Its very frustrating to me because I take it from the first stop and it takes soooo long to get to ny because it makes PLENTY and I do mean PLENTY of stops. So what are they talking about that there is a low ridership? My husband also takes it during NONpeak hours and it makes PLENTY of stops then as well. So what are they whining about?

Not for nothing, but its true that it svcs mostly a large section of low income areas, but does that mean that we dont count? Come on now. Get serious. I lived in greenville for a while and know firsthand how shoddy that area is treated. I've seen so much discrimination in different areas, but this is a new low. Now we dont even get safe and reliable bus service? What are we animals because we dont live in the fancy up and coming areas??

Im annoyed with this entire situation and I wish someone would take a stand for us. Im sick of the 2 hour commute home because of all the stops that it makes. How can they be whining about low ridership??

Oh and btw, the jitneys are now $2.50 to nyc.

The ridership assertions are bogus. Maybe Coach USA is looking for more of a subsidy from public funds--which is the bottom line. So the question is, should the city/state subsidize transportation to this community? Or, in not doing so, make it MORE difficult for this community to get to work, to strive to obtain better and higher paying jobs outside the area, to get to places with decent, healthy food, etc, etc, etc.

I agree with everyone's comments but in order to bring change to the Bergen lafayette-greenville communities we have to be a united front....we have strong community groups in the neighborhood with poor attendance to community meetings and poor attendance at Council Meetings..this is where it counts..if we are not present and we do not write letters to the appropriate agencies, sounding off or complaining will get us no where....even jclist.com gears towards Downtown which is fine...but its our own fault.....we need presence and goals. Contrary to what many believe there are many people in B-L fighting for our rights and attending even the most 'insignificant' meetings to voice the "community's concerns".........See you all tonight at the Council meeting!

Agreen, Lafayette--as a result of the information on this thread about the meeting and subsequent discussion, I am going to make every effort to get out of work and attend this meeting.

(if there is room on the bus #4 to get me there!)

I just came from the Council meeting tonight and things are BAD. People are truly beside themselves. I mean think about it.

1) Things are looking grim for Greenville Hospital.

2) The post Office on Bergen has been closed down.

3) Now bus lines are shutting down.

People are very frustrated. They don't want to wait around while a plan is formulated. They want action. They want to be able to get to work so they don't lose money and the source of their families income. You've got seniors who have a hard time getting around as well as parents with small children.

So what can we do? What would be your creative solution??? I'm seriously asking.

The Jitneys may step in, but in all reality they are going to cause a financial hardship for most. The buses are far cheaper. These are people that would cringe with having to part with $20. This is A LOT of money for them. Life is stark and this City is handing them blow after blow.

How do they car pool? How do you do massive car pooling for a period of several months while a better plan is being formulated? I am sure it can be staged at a local community center.

Do you think downtown people with cars would be willing to help? Maybe a donation fund could be set up toward shuttle service? Remember i am thinking short term until bus service can be restored in some form.

I'm always lived in rural areas so the car pooling thing is foreign to me. Any ideas? What would you be willing to do to help?

I also was at the council meeting and I am glad so many people came out to speak. We have to keep the momentum going. We have to reach out to our legislators and the Mayor so they can put together a quick solution. Many last night stated this is "an emergency" . For many it will be if they can't get to work on time or get their kids to school.

Coach USA is not the only bus company. They need to get some yellow school buses, hire private smaller bus companies( there is one company in lafayette i know of , anything to keep the service going in the interim. If they are going to arrange the jitneys they would have to cut the price in half and provide a whole lot of them because Bergen Lafayette and Greenville buses are already jam packed.....Either that or Jersey city should outright cancel all of Coach USA 's buses...they shouldn't have the right to choose what route to cancel..they can go somewhere else!

It was wonderful to see so many of our community members come out? Can we keep this going ?!! I hope so.

We have a big meeting at the Communipaw Ave. block association on Jan 14th at 7 pm at the Monumental Baptist Church (Corner of Van Horne and Lafayette) We have petitions and we are contacting everyone!

Unfortunately I could not get out of work to attend, but will be there Monday.

What is the 'interim' period, meaning, what is the proposed solution that is coming after this interim?

You probably would of made the meeting, we were there until 10 pm last night...anyhow there is no solution to the bus situation but according to BOb Byrne in city hall "the wheels are in motion"......

The problem is that JC doesn't control COACH USA or NJ Transit...but we as a community have to appeal to the Legislators, assemblymen, etc...we are trying to get a couple of them to come to the meeting on Monday.

Those who spoke last night asked that they wanted the person responsible for signing the Bus contracts and they wanted answers...I DO think they got the message Loud and Clear since there were many people in attendance who spoke very well.

Go figure, the city accomodates developers with prime property near light rail stops for their new residents while the "not so wealthy taxpayers get the scraps"....

Even those that don't live in Lafayette or Greenville were visibly upset that so many people were imploring and practically begging the city council to step in....it was an interesting meeting to say the least.

Bumpity bump bump bump

This is important and could have a devastating impact on this City.

I don't know if anyone mentioned this at the meeting itself, but once again this morning's commute consisted of two tag-team #4 buses literally front to back traveling all the way to Grove. They will certainly never increase ridership this way.

You can certainly share your ideas or comments at the Communipaw AVe block Association meeting on monday on the calendar posted on jclist..........we expect a big turnout...
thanks

People at the meeting did mention how the buses run on their own schedule instead of the printed NJ transit schedules.....

This Monday will be very interesting!

Just found this posted on NJ.com

No. 99 bus will get a one-month reprieve
by N. Clark Judd Friday January 11, 2008, 3:05 PM

The No. 99 bus, which was slated to stop running Sunday, will continue to operate in Jersey City until Feb. 17, said a bus company official.

John Emberson, an official with Coach USA, which owns No. 99 operator Red & Tan in Hudson County, called The Jersey Journal to announce that NJ Transit had just offered to subsidize the route for another 30 days.



Emberson said the decision had been reached after a 20-minute phone conversation with NJ Transit officials earlier this afternoon.

Emberson said NJ Transit will be using the time to get more data on the line's ridership.

"I think they want to take a closer look at it and figure out what they're going to do with it after that," Emberson said. "They want to study it during that time period."

Don't think the Jitney's are going to be the answer. They are unregulated and answer to no one. Coach USA pulled our bus service to NYC over the summer. At that time, our mayor was overheard saying "those people can take the jitney's"...(those people being the residents along the Palisade Avenue corridor that commute into NYC) Well, the jitney's haven't filled the gap left by Coach's departure. They only run into NY during rush hour. If you don't work 9-5, they don't care about you. They too are in it to make $$$ and becuase they aren't regulated, and answer to no one, they do what they please. (and let's not forget that everytime the DOT does a spot inspection they have consistently pulled over 75% of the jitney's off the street, on the spot. Issues like bald tires, unsafe operating issues, NO INSURANCE, over crowding. And this is our Mayor's answer. Then, to compound the issue, when word of the DOT spot inspections gets out, ALL OF THE JITNEY'S stop running for the day out of fear of getting caught. And because they aren't regulated, they can do that. TRY GETTING TO WORK ON THOSE DAYS.......)

Residents blast bus line over canceled routes

by Amy Sara Clark
Tuesday January 15, 2008, 5:10 PM

Outrage and frustration over canceled bus lines turned to talk of a boycott after more than 100 people crowded into Monumental Baptist Church in Jersey City last night for a block association meeting.

The No. 16 bus was canceled this week, on the heels of cancellation of the Nos. 3 and 5 in September, and the No. 99 may have just 30 days left, while the No. 4 has three months.

"I don't care what you get but we need something," resident Margie Mccord said to the assembled officials gathered at the meeting. "Whatever you have to do, do it."

Councilman Steve Lipski suggested that the offer of $1.5 million in city funds that was rejected by Greenville Hospital be used instead to hire a "transportation czar" who would coordinate and lobby for transportation improvements for the entire city.

Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson brought up the possibility of riders taking more severe action.

"I'm personally ready to boycott them," she said.

Her remark received applause, but after the meeting, riders said they had mixed feelings.

While some said they would do whatever it takes, others said it might be too difficult for some.

"It would affect a lot of people in different ways. It might be hard to do," said rider Barbara Wilson.

Mayor Jerramiah Healy's office asked riders to register detailed complaints concerning the service of Red & Tan Hudson County, whose parent company is Coach USA, online at jerseycitynj.gov (click on Online Help Center), by phone at (201) 547-4900 or by mail to city of Jersey City, 280 Grove St., Jersey City, N.J. 07302.

In addition, several residents are circulating petitions and a follow-up meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28.

There will be a follow up meeting on January 28, 2007 at 7 pm at Monumental Baptist Church where we will continue working on solutions with Viola Richardson and Lipski. Please attend and let anyone that is affected by this know. Even if you aren't affected directly these cuts show that JC residents are getting short-changed in many ways.

So...with all the moanin' and bitchin' about the crappy 99 and 99S service no one on this board mentions the slashing of service for the 125 which services Jersey City to/from Port Authority in NY....

The new schedule coming in to JC from NY provides whack service times 6:40, 7:20, 8:30, 9:30...? What happened to every 30-min. or 45-min.... At times these buses are so crowded in the evening getting onboard is crazeee!

Likewise, the service has been slashed going into NYC. I leave work in the financial district around 5PM and can always count on (if the Path runs good, which is so-so nowadays) catching a 5:30 bus, or the 5:40 (it generally runs late)... Now the next 125 bus service is slated to leave Journal Square at 6PM (and since it is usually late...NOT).

The horribly-run 88 service is a skin-of-your-teeth solution.
This ALWAYS LATE bus shares the same Journal Square platform (and runs through, Jersey City, Union City, and beyond)...but is hardly ever on time. At any given day people will line up anywhere with complete disregard to the line already formed, angry folks (I have actually seen this) banging on the door where the dispatcher is stationed (protected?) trying to find out when the heck the next bus is coming or leaving or why (as I witnessed several times this past Summer and Fall...there are three 88 buses with their drivers all on a break...and a line of about thirty to forty people). I love how the dispatcher (a real surly woman) has blockaded herself in her metal box structure and pasted signage all over. She even posted a sign..."DO not bang on door" But, when people "Knock" she refuses to acknowledge them.

Sometimes, she can be seen running out into the night, cell phone in hand to make personal calls, ignoring the line of people waiting for a 88 Bus...who usually crowd onto a 125 (now that's not gonna' happen is it...especially with the new schedule)...

Oh well, they are going to raise the fares on us, and have slashed service. Great way to go NJ Transit.

I think someone should talk to the jitney people before dismissing the idea of turning to the jitney people.

I take jitneys from near Shoprite to pick my daughter up at school a few times a week, and they're fine. The drivers stop only at bus stops, they seem to drive about as safely as regular bus drivers, the "local" fare that I pay is only $1.25, and they come a whole lot. When I used to get mixed up about the fare and paid me too much, the driver's always gave me change.

Maybe the jitneys come more often at rush hour, but how often did the 16 bus ever really come at off-peak hours? I've tried to take that bus, and, a lot of times, I've just given up on it and walked a couple of miles instead because the bus never came.

Questions:

- Do the jitneys take the routes they take because those are the routes they want, or are those the only routes the police let them take?

- Are the jitney people interested in taking over the Greenville routes and creating other routes, such as a Grove Street to Bergen Lafayette route?

- Are the Coach buses subsidized in any way? If so, could we transfer the subsidies to the jitney people, and would that affect their level of interest in the Greenville routes?

- If someone helped train the drivers to handle new Greenville routes, would that affect the drivers' interest in Greenville?

- If the drivers are worried about crime in Greenville, would there be a way to add more police along a Greenville jitney route, to give drivers and passengers more protection?

When I used to live in the heights, i took the jitneys all the time and it got to the point where i would run into the same drivers and it was a nice thing. They were always very friendly & courteous on the Kennedy Blvd route. (the ones that start in journal sq., not the ones that start across from the white castle) Anyway, I think safety would be a big concern. They carry their bus fares in cash, not in boxes bolted to the floor and they do not have cameras on board the way the buses do. I would be more than happy to take a jitney rather than the bus, they run way more often & more frequently than the buses. And if they see you running for the bus, they wait for you. They have dispatchers in both Journal Square and Port Authority. They may be the ones to approach first.

ALB you bring good points...if you don't go to the meeting on the 28th I will certainly like to bring them to the meeting so we can get answers. The jitneys might be a good alternative as long as they are regulated. That still doesn't take Coach of the hook. This morning there were 2 No. 4 buses back to back and a bus marked SHUTTLE on Grand and I have no idea where that bus was going....This morning in the JJOURNAL COACH has a classified ad looking for DRIVERs...could they be lacking in drivers and not in "ridership"??

Anyone else with bus issues should come to the CABA meeting JANUARY 28th, everyone is welcome.

I tried calling Fox to do a story on the Transportation shortage in JC.......anyone have a direct number for Arnold Diaz..someone must of called him for Flood's issue......I would love for them to come to the meeting on the 28th and do a story!