Montclair, NJ – Montclair commuters were upset and frustrated Monday morning after learning DeCamp Bus Lines announced plans to end commuter services to and from New York City effective April 7, 2023.
DeCamp vice president Jonathan R. DeCamp told Baristanet that NJ Transit was informed that DeCamp would cease service.
Jim Smith, NJ Transit’s director of media relations, said late Monday evening that NJ TRANSIT is currently assessing the impacts of DeCamp’s decision to cease their limited post-pandemic commuter service.
“Part of that assessment is identifying the alternatives already available on existing NJ TRANSIT bus, rail and light rail service. We’ll communicate available alternatives for affected DeCamp customers in advance of April 7th,” said Smith.
Montclair Councilor at Large Peter Yacobellis shared Monday that he had reached out to local representatives at the state and federal level to share the loss of commuter services and the impact it would have on residents.
In a newsletter to residents, Yacobellis said he was contacting U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Senators Booker and Menendez; Congress Members Sherrill and Payne; Governor Murphy; State Senator Nia Gill, State Assembly Members Timberlake and Giblin and prospective future reps of Montclair (currently serving): State Senator Richard Codey and Assembly Member John McKeon and sharing this statement:
This is an alarming development for the many residents of Montclair who rely on this transit option to get to New York City for work. Although we are blessed with multiple train stations in Montclair, trains are often overcrowded, many residents do not live in walking distance to a train station, and demand for parking exceeds supply at our train stations.
Like many of you, I’m in receipt of communication from residents alarmed by this development and not sure how they’re going to adjust their lives and routines to simply be able to get to work. And like all of you, I’m very concerned for them.
While many of us have settled into different routines, I do not believe the philosophical debate on ways of working and ways of commuting for those of us in major metropolitan regions is settled. We don’t know what is going to happen with congestion pricing in NYC and many employers in NYC continue to adapt in-office requirements for workers. I believe these broader ways of living and working in the NYC region need time to settle before entire options are taken away from us.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill communicated this message on Twitter Monday:
My office is monitoring the news regarding the cuts to DeCamp's commuter bus service. We have been in touch with NJ Transit who assured us that they are working on the problem and an answer to how the gap in service will be addressed.
— Rep. Mikie Sherrill (@RepSherrill) March 21, 2023
Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller shared this message about DeCamp:
“The ability of residents to get to and from New York is critical to the health of our community. That’s why, in light of today’s announcement from DeCamp Bus Lines I will be taking steps including coordinating with our partners at the county, state and federal levels to ensure Montclair residents have continued, uninterrupted access to New York City.”
Councilor Yacobellis is reaching out to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg? That should do it. And where would Montclair be without Mayor Spiller “taking steps…”?
There is no train service at all on weekends from Upper Montclair.
If Spiller, Yacobellis, and Sherrill are truly concerned and think the bus service is that crucial why don’t they take matters into their own hands? They can put up their own money and take over the routes. They clearly think it is a great business opportunity so have it. Of course it is easier to spend taxpayers money than your own and of course words are cheap. Plenty of lip service for everyone!!!
Just in time for the Spring home sale market! The good news is a whole lot of center hall colonials in Upper Montclair became a little more affordable.
The answer is likely to be jitney buses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Transportation
I appreciate our officials advocating for us. I’m so tired of seeing people with fake names, most likely town insiders, complaining about everything in these chats. How sad. Thank you, Mayor Spiller and Councilor Yacobellis.
A minor emergency for some, an inconvenience for those who take the bus into the city for the occasional weekend romp or a Wednesday Broadway matinee. I’ve heard neighbors wondering about lower property values and seen the predictable politicians promise to get involved. I’ve even heard someone say she’s glad the buses won’t be contributing to the climate collapse anymore.
But not a word about the drivers or mechanics who are being thrown out of work. Sometimes I wonder what it really means to be a liberal here, as most of us in this town identify. Have we really reached the point where we don’t see it?