| Author |
Message |
    
Margu
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 3:34 pm: |     |
Mr. DeLuca says in a previous posting that the new buses destined for Parker Avenue service broke down upon leaving the repair shop! What is really going on here? Can't we get some real mechanics to fix this bus? Why is this such a low priority, especially when the dollars have been allocated for such increase in service since over a year ago. |
Lah
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 9:27 pm: | |
The new buses were running for the first time this morning. The real issue now is the shortage of one driver. Do not blame the Township on this one. One of the drivers passed away two weeks ago (this is not a joke). They now have one guy who was supposed to take his bus drivers exam today (according to my driver this morning). If he passes, the new jitney route may be running soon. Let me forewarn you though. The jitney is great, but there is no backup. If the driver doesn't show up, you are pretty much on your own. This may not seem like a big issue, but it happens more often than you would think. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 8:25 am: | |
Lah, I thought the driver was on vacation. It was a driver on the Wyoming route, right?
I've never experienced the jitney not showing up, as you seem to say. The only time I've ever experienced a problem is on the 7:22 P.M. train that is so often late, that it arrives in Maplewood after the last jitney (7:55) when it should arrive a few minutes before (7:53). The driver may not wait, but it's not his fault -- he doesn't know when the train will arrive. So, knowing this, I never take the 7:22 unless I'm in the mood to walk or take a cab, or I can get a ride. |
Lah
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 10:05 am: | |
It was the morning Wyoming driver (Elvin) that passed away. Right now the morning Hilton driver (John) is subbing on the Wyoming route and the guy that used to drive the van seems to be driving the Hilton route. There is yet another potential driver (the guy taking the exam yesterday). I have been a rider on both routes. I really never had any big problems on the Hilton route. Since arriving on the Wyoming route, I've had a completely different experience. We had a horrible driver for a long time (he was regularly 10 minutes late, wouldn't show in the snow, etc). He was eventually fired. Elvin was fine, but there were some problems in his final weeks which left us alone and standing in the cold (reminding me of last winter w/the old guy). In the evenings, there are many nights when the Hoboken train is 2-3 minutes late and the jitney has gone, also leaving us to walk. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 10:11 am: | |
My only complaints with the jitney service: the 5:30 (or 5:32 whatever it is) is often late; they observe all the holidays (i.e. Lincoln's birthday, the day after Thanksgiving, etc.), but supposedly will still ticket you at the train station if you don't have a permit. |
Rckymtn
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 1:19 pm: | |
Well, I gotta add my 2 cents.
The Parker Ave. jitney is WAY overdue. I asked Town Hall about it way last OCTOBER and was told they thought it would be up in November. Then when I renewed my pass in January, they said by Jan. 20 or so. And here we are halfway through February (and I'm optimistic that the worst of the cold and the snow is past). Heckuva lot of good that jitney did me.
Next, my experience is that the morning Hilton jitney runs like a charm. HOWEVER, at least once a month the last evening jitney (at 7:5_) leaves before the NY train arrives. The first time it happened to me, I was told by a fellow rider (to whom it had happened several times before) that he was told by a Mr. Brocli (sp?) at Town Hall that the last jitney is supposed to allow some leeway for a NY train that may be a few minutes late.
LAST NIGHT, HOWEVER, there was no late jitney, for example, THERE WAS NO JITNEY: There were 15-20 of us waiting, waiting, waiting and still waiting for the 7:5_ Hilton jitney. The NY train had arrived on time. I decided at 8:10 that it either already left or wasn't coming. One person there said had arrived at 7:30 on the Hoboken train, and she had been waiting for forty minutes. So it wasn't a matter LAST NIGHT of leaving early -- IT PLAIN DIDN'T SHOW.
So I walked home (1/2 hour) and it was fine. Luckily it wasn't snowy or cold. I did run into two raccoons however that scared the what out of me as they ambled past.
Others, however, perhaps were not so fortunate. I can envision Valentine's dinner plans being thrown asunder, babysitters needing overtime, and what if someone just plain can't walk the 1/2 hour uphill? Plus it's a very dark walk home, and hardly anyone driving Prospect at that hour keeps it to 25 MPH.
Bottom line: if the Town is going to run a jitney, the jitneys have to be consistent. Too many people nowadays are counting on that ride home. (Sure, they could take a taxi, but that's a whole 'nother complaint -- like four people being forced to share one cab and each paying $5.75! City yellow cabs won't -- can't -- even do that for multiple drop-offs). |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 1:38 pm: | |
Rockymtn -- what happened when you called Town Hall this A.M. to complain about the no-show Jitney from last night? |
Mwood
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 3:36 pm: | |
good luck trying to get a cab ...! |
Algebra2
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 4:22 pm: | |
There is nothing worse than Maplewood Taxi -- what an unpleasant bunch! I got to say it is real sucky dragging a toddler out late at night to pick up my husband at the train. #1 they are never open (or are unavailable). #2 $6.00 to drive about 3/4 of a mile is robbery. |
Greenetree
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 4:33 pm: | |
Don't even get me started on Maplewood Taxi ! In January, I called a cab to go to Newark airport. I called at 6am & was assured that the cab would be there at 6:30am. At 6:45am, the driver showed up. When I told him he was late, and the person had taken a ride with someone else, the driver demanded a cancellation fee. I told him he was nuts- he did not get any money.
I have had to endure driving around for 25 minutes while other fares were dropped off during my 3-minute ride home from the train station on nights when I could not walk.
I have had cab drivers who could not get to the corner of Springfield and Vauxhall.
Who regulates these rude, unreliable people ? How is it that they are able to charge for each person in the cab ? Algebra2 is right, except that there must be a stronger word than 'robbery'. |
Eliz
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 8:41 pm: | |
Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable car service to use on off hours to especially for airport trips? (not the evil Maplewood Taxi) |
Dmm
| | Posted on Friday, February 16, 2001 - 12:51 pm: | |
I have had good luck after hours (2 for 2, both at about 10:15 PM) with Irvington Taxi (373-5000) Prices are steep! $8 to go to Boyden and Midland Blvd. |
Pepper
| | Posted on Friday, February 16, 2001 - 1:59 pm: | |
Regarding the late arrival of the 7:22 train, I have called the concierge and asked them to tell the driver the approximate time the train would arrive. The first couple of times the driver waited, after that he stopped waiting and I've had to walk. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Friday, February 16, 2001 - 2:06 pm: | |
Eliz: we've used Newark Auto Cab for the airport and that's worked out fine, including for early morning flights.
Bacata |
Jimt
| | Posted on Friday, February 16, 2001 - 4:18 pm: | |
For Newark Airport trips during early morning and off-hours, I've started using Accurate Car Service out of Kenilworth. I think the number is 908-276-6696 (I think they also have an 800 number in the phone book under a listing for Union Taxi). Very reliable, and the cars don't smell like B.O. |
J123md
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 5:47 pm: | |
I have never had a problem with maplewood taxi they are a great bunch of guys. |
Cbbk
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 7:07 pm: | |
What's up with all these driver and bus chages on the Hilton Route? |
Us2innj
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:09 pm: | |
Most of the local car services close up shop at 7 PM or so. "Thats no way to run an airline", so to speak.
We have used Accurate Car Service to the airports also. Their rate is $24 one way, plus a $6 tip, so the total is not too bad. I don't know if Accurate would come from their neck of the woods to wait at Maplewood Station in order to take you five blocks. In Forest Hills, Queens, you were able to get a car service 24 hours a day. |
J123md
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:42 pm: | |
one of the drivers on the jitney past away so they had to train a new guy. |
Bobk
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 5:26 am: | |
Just started using the Wyoming jitney since we had to sell our second car to pay our new tax bill. So far, everything seems fine. The driver is pleasent and on time.
Also, I use Maplewood Taxi about once a month to go to the airport. I call the day before and make a reservation. They are always outside my door on time, even if that time is 5:30am.
May be I am just lucky!!! |
Hobsonschoice
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 6:02 am: | |
I dont use the Jitney but advice is free...
At least for the last run of the day, would it be possible for the driver responsible for a specific route post in the train station when it left the station? So if the NY Train is late Jitney riders dont have to guess if the Jitney is on its way. AND, if situations when the jitney will not be running in the morning can someone responsible for the Jitneys POST a message on Maplewood On-line? A quick look at the board in the morning may save you some grief. I guess Shadow Traffic has not gotten to the VERY local level. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 9:06 am: | |
Posting a message on Maplewood Online is the last place I'd look for news at 6:15 A.M. when I'm getting ready to leave the house. In 7 months, I've never had a problem with the first jitney of the day on the Hilton Route, and I take it everyday. |
Bix
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 7, 2001 - 12:45 am: | |
I would like to announce a new community coalition. It's called FareTaxi01. We are a group of concerned citizens. We are not against paying our "FARE" share, but we simply demand to be driven to the airport in a B.O.-free environment. Velour seats really should be outlawed, also. And why should the drivers talk about us like we're not sitting in the back seat listening? "Car 4 picked up. About 10 minutes LATE though." Once, I had to share a ride in the early morning with a complete stranger I didn't know from Adam.
Faretaxi01 has nothing to do with a couple other groups now being formed: MaplewoodTaxi, TaxiReform01, The B.O. Alliance, The Department of the Interior, The Clean Earth Act, to name a few.
We believe the whole issue of taxis in Maplewood has been discussed to death, but let's face it: the taxis in this town are outrageous! And what are we getting in return for all our taxis?
I also heard that the East side has been overpaying their taxis for years. That's proof that this is not a fare system. The taxis should be the same for all Maplewood citizens. Ask the fare ahead of time, it helps.
We are trying to raise enough funds for a new fleet of vehicles, or at the very least, some pine tree air fresheners. Won't you join us? |
Gerardryan
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 7, 2001 - 12:50 am: | |
Bix: brilliant! |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 7, 2001 - 11:12 am: | |
Loved it, Bix!
Bacata |
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