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Maplemom
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:23 am: |     |
We will be moving to Maplewood in two months. My husband will be commuting to the financial district from Maplewood. He works a few blocks off Wall Street. Should he take Midtown Direct and then switch to subway (since this would require only two changes) or drive to PATH then switch to subway? If he drives anywhere, please explain how, where to and the cost. We have only one car now and were hoping to get away with keeping it that way. There is a jitney near us but it might not run early enough. We are only .5 mile from the station. What's the parking situation at Maplewood station? I hear S.O. is on wait list for stickers. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks in advance. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:29 am: | |
No, take train to Hoboken (on the non-Midtown Direct train) then PATH to WTC. |
Gerardryan
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:33 am: | |
Maplemom: I wouldn't take Midtown Direct to get to Wall Street. Take the train to Hoboken (from the same station that you'd get Midtown direct) and either take the PATH (to world trade center) or the ferry (to the world financial center). I also wouldn't drive to the PATH; my experience is that the highways are mobbed...
The earlier you drive to the train station the more likely you are to find spots close by. All the close-in spots are long gone by about 7:45, last I saw. To park near the train you'll need a parking permit.
You can go to NJ Transit's web site and see train schedules.
You've picked a great town to move to. Welcome to Maplewood! |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:39 am: | |
The best way for your husband to commute is to take NJ Transit train to Hoboken, then PATH to the World Trade Center. Avoid Penn Station, NY unless you need to use it.
The jitney runs early enough to take the 6:43 to Penn Station or the 6:48 to Hoboken. Passes are $50/year.
Parking permits are $100/year, and parking is first-come, first-serve. At 6:30 in the morning, you'll have your choice of spots. If you get there later, you'll park further away, possibly on streets like Valley. Optionally, you could park at the $3/day lot, which usually is full around 6:45 or so. I use it when the jitney isn't running or when I know I'll be travelling at off-hours and don't want to walk home at 11:00 P.M. Permits for the jitney or the parking spaces can be obtained easily at Town Hall with proof of residency.
However, being only a half mile to the station, I suggest your husband walk, if he is healthy enough to do so, for 2 reasons. The first is that there would be less pollution from taking the car on a daily basis, and the second being that the time involved in walking to the jitney, waiting for it, travelling on it, and then waiting on the train is probably longer than the actual walk.
I'm 1.25 miles from the train, and take the jitney in the morning because I don't want to overheat before work, but I often walk home at night, even if it's up that long hill. I do this especially if I have to wait 15 minutes or more for the next jitney, and I always get home before the jitney reaches my stop. |
Deborahg
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:40 am: | |
In good weather I would definitely recommend walking to the station, Maplewood is gorgeous year-round but especially in spring and summer. I take the jitney sometimes as well. From there the Hoboken train (which runs very frequently during rush hour, and is filled with the Wall Street crowd) and PATH are definitely the way to go. Welcome! |
John
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:54 am: | |
Maplemom
If you only have one car walking to the train station from .5 miles away may not be so bad especially if your husband walks through the park. It's a pleasant walk in the Spring, Summer and Fall. He'll see the ducks in the pond, a few dogs, and some friendly people. Besides, he'd leave an open parking space for someone who lives farther away. I second all of Gerry's suggestions. A monthly to Hoboken is $101.00 and the Path is $1.00 each way (but it is going up to $1.50 I think). I think the Ferry is $2.00 each way. The Midtown Direct is $125.00 a month and the subway is $1.50 a ride.
Welcome to Maplewood! |
Tracks
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 9:59 am: | |
Actually, it depends on which end of wall street you work on too. If you are near the water street end, it is quicker to take the midtown direct and the irt express (#2 0r 3) to wall street.
It is less crowded and nice to take the hoboken train and then the ferry and either walk or take the free shuttle bus from there.
I actually do both depending on the weather, how much of a rush, etc. But if speed is the main issue, then midtown direct and subway is the quickest way to go. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 10:05 am: | |
Tracks, it might save five minutes coming into work, but I don't know if it saves anything going home. However, going through Penn Station, especially in the evening is the worst experience for a commuter, and I'd avoid it if I could. The trains aren't reliable there. The Hoboken train, especially in the evening, is much more relaxing than the Midtown Direct. It's not worth saving a few minutes to go to Midtown. Add in the subway experience! When I moved to Maplewood, I was delighted I wouldn't have to take the subway on a regular basis. |
Bobk
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 12:46 pm: | |
The Hoboken trains run pretty much on schedule, around 30 minutes either to or from Maplewood.
The PATH to the WTC is about 10 minutes and it usually takes about 10 minutes to transfer to or from the PATH to the train.
This commute is the envy of many of my co-workers!!
You can also buy ten trip booklets of jitney tickets at the Concierge at the train station for five dollars.
I walk to the station in the morning (about 1/2mile) and either walk or take the jitney home in the evening. |
Tracks
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 2:20 pm: | |
I agree that the hoboken/path or ferry is much more sane and a lot better going home than the nightmare called penn station. However, I still think you save closer to 15 minutes if you are all the way east on wall street.
I usually go home via the ferry and hoboken train, but take the midtown direct in the morning.
I think the path is as bad as the subway and in some ways it is worse. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 2:25 pm: | |
Tracks -- how long does it take you to get to work in the A.M.? I also need to ask someone who takes the ferry and works across the street from me. I'm on Wall and Water, so it's about as far east as you get. |
Bmpsab
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 3:16 pm: | |
As a downtown commuter, I find that it is easier to drive to either the Newark or Harrison Path train station and then take the path to the WTC. When I take the NJ transit train to Hoboken, the trip in the morning is ok, but it takes me much longer in the evening. Additionally, I prefer the convenience of not having to deal with a train schedule in the evening (with the NJ transit train, if someone stops me on the way out the door for 1 minute, I will miss my train & it delays me at least 30 minutes; with the Path train & car(which runs every 10 minutes), the most I am delayed is 10 minutes). |
Bmpsab
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 3:17 pm: | |
I should add, that although I work on Wall Street, I am an attorney and therefore I almost never take the train during "rush" hour in the evening, and that is why the NJ transit train commute takes so much longer in the evening. |
Tracks
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 3:28 pm: | |
It seems to take me from the time the train comes about 45 minutes. Of course when you add in getting to the train, waiting for the train, etc. closer to an hour. The subway ride is 10 minutes, about the same as the path, but you come out only a block and a half from water street. Of course, I should only take the ferry and walk since I could use the exercise. |
Bobk
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 4:05 pm: | |
It is interesting that MidTown Direct has become such a big deal that someone is actually moving here and doesn't know that the train also runs to Hoboken and the PATH. |
Maplemom
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 4:46 pm: | |
Many, many thanks for all of the posts. I checked with my husband, he works near Tracks on Water Street. It sounds like he should check both ways but the Midtown Direct is quicker in the AM and PATH quicker in the PM. I was aware the train went to Hoboken and PATH, but someone told me it would be quicker to drive to Harrison/Newark. I sound ignorant because I am. We have gotten all sorts of varying opinions regarding the quickest commute. I'll keep checking back to make sure I see all posts. Thanks again
Maplemom |
Tracks
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 4:57 pm: | |
Driving to Harrison is not always that good. If you leave too late, the traffic can be horrendous even if it is just for a mile or so. I am not a big fan of the path. I really like the ferry and the shuttle bus. The free shuttle bus stops on wall and water and right by the ferry. It is crowded when it rains, but not that bad that you cannot get on usually. It really depends on what time you get there. |
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 6:46 pm: | |
I work in lower Manhattan. I take the train into Hoboken and then switch to the PATH to World Trade Center. I walk to and from the train station every day and it is great exercise (especailly going up that hill at night).
If you live near either Springfield Avenue or Valley Street, taking the bus to Penn Station Newark and then the PATH to World Trade Center is cheaper alternative to the train to Hoboken and the PATH to World Trade Center and doesn't take much longer.
If you are considering the jitney, check the schedule for the route near you. There are different routes with different schedules. |
Bix
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 7:20 pm: | |
Drive to Newark Airport. Park in Lot C. Lot D is usually full. Take the monorail to Terminal B. Get out and turn left and walk 60 paces. There's a bus that takes you to Church Street. It's free. Just say you were on the Qantas flight. Tell the driver your bags are on the next plane. (Say "G'day, Mate!" too, it helps.) Do NOT make eye contact with anyone! Whistle Waltzing Matilda also helps. When you get to Church Street, ask the driver for a parking validation voucher. (In an authentic Queensland accent.) Do the same in reverse on your way home. Best to leave at 6:10 a.m. to get the 6:46 monorail. Good on ya! |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 8:15 pm: | |
Bix, you forgot about the passport and the hidden underground tunnel that's filled with fruit bats. Also, the bit about avoiding the fellow with the pointed stick. |
Octofoil
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 8:25 pm: | |
Prior to moving to mid-town, I commuted to lower Manhattan for 20+ years, mostly the Water St. area (though I was working in 2 WTC when it was bombed). During that period of time, I tried every alternative commuting route that I could come up with! But I always came back to the train-to-Hoboken-PATH-to-WTC. Least hassle and most dependable.
Among those that I tried and abandoned was driving to Harrison or Newark and taking the PATH from there. Not bad, but as a previous poster noted, the traffic can get nasty sometimes. Also tried the bus to Newark Penn Station, which was economical but very uncomfortable-bus seats are smaller than train seats, making it more difficult to have your coffee and read your paper!
In later years, the ferry from Jersey City offered free parking as an inducement to use their ferry. So I tried driving to Jersey City and taking the ferry across. That had potential and was a nice commute, and the best of the bunch unless there was a problem on 78, which seemed to be too often. Don't know if they still offer free parking. The interminable never-ending construction around the Newark airport exits was also a frequent problem. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 8:17 am: | |
I still don't believe the Midtown Direct saves any more than 5 minutes over the Hoboken commute. I have also driven to Newark and taken the PATH from there. This is a viable option for occasional use, i.e. late nights, going to NJ PAC, etc. It saves only about 10 minutes from the Hoboken commute, and wastes the gas when you really do have a public transit alternative. Even with the discount on monthly parking, this option is more expensive than the Hoboken-PATH option.
Joan is correct about the Springfield Ave. bus, which takes about 40 minutes to Newark. For me, (and I live on Elmwood near Boyden), this option is much more time consuming than others -- probably about 80 - 90 minutes not counting waits for buses and the PATH.
The ferry is supposed to be much more civilized than the PATH, but for me, the cost and extra walking distance don't make it an option for me.
Maplemom, your husband will try everything, but I'm fairly certain only a special type would prefer the Midtown Direct and the subway over the many other options. |
Jfb
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 8:38 am: | |
I've done both midtown and hoboken. The hoboken takes at least another fifteen minutes and it also takes MUCH more energy. Something about being jammed into those cars with a zillion other people, and all the stops before 33 st. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 8:51 am: | |
Jfb, we're talking about a downtown (Wall St.) commute. For a midtown commute, the Midtown Direct would be move favorable than the Hoboken-PATH option. |
Tracks
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 9:51 am: | |
The scheduled train time for the hoboken and the midtown direct is about the same. The path and the subway ride are the same time wise. But the walking distance is 10 blocks less and that is where the time savings comes in. But I do prefer the hoboken train and ferry or path to the midtown direct/subway. When it rains, I take the midtown direct and subway because of the shorter walk. Going home, it depends on what time I leave the office. It is great to have so many options available. |
Njjoseph
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 9:53 am: | |
Tracks, you exaggerate -- it's not 10 blocks! :-) |
Tracks
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 1:29 pm: | |
Well ok... it is eight blocks, but if you count that you are basically walking two blocks in the World trade center to the exit it is the equivalent of ten blocks. The ride to hoboken is usually a few minutes less than the ride to midtown. The path is usually a few minutes longer than the subway ride. Overall, it is usually about ten minutes less door to door by using midtown direct than hoboken/path/walking.
As I said, I enjoy the walk other than when it is raining. |
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