35 replies to this topic

[mark1447]

"New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson on Wednesday suggested a pilot program that would allow some NJ Transit buses that serve Manhattan to bypass the Port Authority Bus Terminal, picking up North Jersey-bound passengers directly from the streets of New York.

Simpson pitched the idea during NJ Transit’s monthly board meeting, directing the agency’s bus division to look into working with New York transit officials on an arrangement he said may address congestion at the terminal.

“We know that we’ve got physical constraints with the Port Authority Bus Terminal. We also know that bus ridership is rising as the result of the rising cost of fuel and increased tolls. So we're looking for smarter solutions,” Simpson said.

“NJ Transit may be able to start a service that actually does not go to the bus terminal,” he said. “It might start on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, make a series of stops, get on the tunnel and go straight to New Jersey.”

Simpson said many customers start at the East Side. “Rather than have everybody go to the bus terminal, maybe have the bus go up on the East Side,” he said.

He said NJ Transit could work with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Transportation. An MTA spokesman said the streets and bus stops fall under the NYCDOT’s jurisdiction.

Scott Gastel, a spokesman for the NYCDOT, said the agency has not received any request from NJ Transit to allow bus service around the city. “We would review any such request closely before making a determination,” he said in an email.

Simpson said NJ Transit will look at the issues involved, including jurisdictional or logistical issues raised from such an operation. He also noted that the New York Waterway ferry service relies on buses in the city to carry passengers back and forth to the ferry to New Jersey. Those buses do not charge an additional fare to passengers."

http://www.northjers...html?c=y&page=2

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I agree Robins... It is NJT for a reason... We have enough traffic as it is on 42nd street. Why didn't they build the garage??

[checkmatechamp13]

I agree Robins... It is NJT for a reason... We have enough traffic as it is on 42nd street. Why didn't they build the garage??

Like they said, the #120 makes picks ups and drop offs on the street. What difference does it make whether the buses terminate in NY or NJ? It's not like they're going to operate open-door in NYC.

As for the garage, I think we all know the reason. ($$$$$$)

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Like they said, the #120 makes picks ups and drop offs on the street. What difference does it make whether the buses terminate in NY or NJ? It's not like they're going to operate open-door in NYC.

As for the garage, I think we all know the reason. ($$$$$$)

You just love taking sides for the hell of it don't you? It makes a hell of a difference. As the article said (which apparently you want to overlook) they started terminating at the Port Authority years ago because there was too much traffic. They could've built the garage but instead they opt to clog up our streets further. This is a NJ problem NOT a NY problem, period. Let them deal with it. We have enough of our own congestion to deal with. You complain about buses moving slow and yet you don't see the problem with this?? Then again why would you? You don't have to commute on a daily basis in the city, so this would affect you the least.

Edited by Via Garibaldi 8, 10 May 2012 - 02:31 PM.

[FamousNYLover]

I think it might be good idea for some (NJT) riders.

What about Coach USA buses? Especially #59 Exit 14 buses almost make same stop as M2 LTD bus stop from 5th Av/59th St to 42nd St.

There's also COACH USA runs along entire M42 route to Lincoln Tunnel pickup westbound and eastbound drop-off.

Don't NY Waterway ferry buses consit New Jersey company?

.

[checkmatechamp13]

You just love taking sides for the hell of it don't you? It makes a hell of a difference. As the article said (which apparently you want to overlook) they started terminating at the Port Authority years ago because there was too much traffic. They could've built the garage but instead they opt to clog up our streets further. This is a NJ problem NOT a NY problem, period. Let them deal with it. We have enough of our own congestion to deal with. You complain about buses moving slow and yet you don't see the problem with this?? Then again why would you? You don't have to commute on a daily basis in the city, so this would affect you the least.

The same way you love twisting my words around, right?

And I read the whole article. So the buses would clog the streets but at least the passengers onboard those buses would be able to get to their destination faster, since the buses don't have to wait for an open bay at the PA bus terminal. So yes, it's actually making the buses faster, or else what would be the point? If the buses went in and out of the terminal with no problems, we wouldn't be having this discussion, now would we?

And that "Oh, it's an NJ problem, not a NY problem" is a ton of crap. The last time I checked, there were plenty of NJ residents who worked in NYC and vice versa.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

The same way you love twisting my words around, right?

And I read the whole article. So the buses would clog the streets but at least the passengers onboard those buses would be able to get to their destination faster, since the buses don't have to wait for an open bay at the PA bus terminal. So yes, it's actually making the buses faster, or else what would be the point? If the buses went in and out of the terminal with no problems, we wouldn't be having this discussion, now would we?

And that "Oh, it's an NJ problem, not a NY problem" is a ton of crap. The last time I checked, there were plenty of NJ residents who worked in NYC and vice versa.

Faster how?? 42nd street has some of the worst traffic in the city and traffic in the city is becoming worse, so I don't see how having more buses clog up 42nd street will make their commutes any faster than what it is now. Are you hard of reading or what?? The article clearly stated that the reason they STOPPED running NJ buses on NYC streets in Midtown was because there was too much traffic. I work in Midtown and use 42nd street daily, and quite frankly there are plenty of days when you are better off walking than taking a bus. As for your last comment yes, legally it IS a NJ problem because they would have to get permission from NY to run those buses here.

[Shortline Bus]

For Lower Manhattan I never understood why a smaller GW Bridge/PABT Terminal was not bulit besides the new Fulton Transit Center for NJT Buses. That for further discussion.

And Vg8 for the record, NJT already has a couple of routes serve Downtown(Central City)Philadelphia make a couple of stops down there outside of their PABT-Type Greyhound station. That in addition to most of the NJT buses termnating at the Greyhound Terminal on nearby Filbert Street. While Philly having NJT Buses make a couple of stops along the Market Street area, being fair, it does not have the mega traffic of Midtown NY. I say this that For NJT to rule out having a couple of NJT buses serve a couple of areas in Mid Manhattan should not be ruled out either IMO. Maybe use 34th since it now has a bus lane as an example.

Not sure of an option to solve this problem but this is further proof why a new Hudson River tunnel is so badly needed. If the trains to/from NY Penn were not at 500% filled to capcity I would have suggested having buses say terminate at the Seacucus station. Again with traffic both from train and bus traffic between NJ and NYC crushloaded, this is something to look at.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

For Lower Manhattan I never understood why a smaller GW Bridge/PABT Terminal was not bulit besides the new Fulton Transit Center for NJT Buses. That for further discussion.

And Vg8 for the record, NJT already has a couple of routes serve Downtown(Central City)Philadelphia make a couple of stops down there outside of their PABT-Type Greyhound station. That in addition to most of the NJT buses termnating at the Greyhound Terminal on nearby Filbert Street. While Philly having NJT Buses make a couple of stops along the Market Street area, being fair, it does not have the mega traffic of Midtown NY. I say this that For NJT to rule out having a couple of NJT buses serve a couple of areas in Mid Manhattan should not be ruled out either IMO. Maybe use 34th since it now has a bus lane as an example.

Not sure of an option to solve this problem but this is further proof why a new Hudson River tunnel is so badly needed. If the trains to/from NY Penn were not at 500% filled to capcity I would have suggested having buses say terminate at the Seacucus station. Again with traffic both from train and bus traffic between NJ and NYC crushloaded, this is something to look at.

I'm well aware of the few buses that stop Downtown, but as you said Downtown and Midtown are very different animals and that is why I don't support this. The amount of buses that terminate or stop Downtown is a drop in the bucket compared to the Port Authority. The M42 is always one of the slowest buses in the system, so how can one support dumping more buses on an already overcrowded 42nd street makes no sense. I have used the M42 when running errands and going back to my office and quite frankly if it wasn't for the hill there by 3rd Avenue, I would just walk back because it can take 20 minutes to go just a few blocks. The best alternative would be to build that garage or provide more train capacity to carry more folks in and have some express buses just stop at those locations.

Edited by Via Garibaldi 8, 10 May 2012 - 05:14 PM.

[Shortline Bus]

I'm well aware of the few buses that stop Downtown, but as you said Downtown and Midtown are very different animals and that is why I don't support this. The amount of buses that terminate or stop Downtown is a drop in the bucket compared to the Port Authority. The M42 is always one of the slowest buses in the system, so how can one support dumping more buses on an already overcrowded 42nd street makes no sense. I have used the M42 when running errands and going back to my office and quite frankly if it wasn't for the hill there by 3rd Avenue, I would just walk back because it can take 20 minutes to go just a few blocks. The best alternative would be to build that garage or provide more train capacity to carry more folks in and have some express buses just stop at those locations.

You aware that the Amtrak/NJ Transit tunnels is crushloaded and can't expand anymore. Thus the issue of how to pay for the new tubes especially after NJ Gov. Christie cancelled funding. So the train option especially during rush hour may not work.

And NJT for their busier routes already runs 'non stop express' between PABT and their towns in NJ so that already been tried. And that around the PABT, the only place to bulid more 'garages' is on 12th Avenue far away from a subway.