| Author | Message | ||
     jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2005 |
Does anyone know what's up with the jitney? I was wondering why it can't run a continuous loop throughout the town, so that when a train comes in, people can jump a ride home or pick it up to go to the train. Is its inoperation due to the cost of a driver? If so, what about a volunteer corps of drivers. Or a pay per ride basis? I don't think I have ever seen the jitney up in Newstead, and its hardly an easy walk to or from town to that part of town. Can someone enlighten me? | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 900 Registered: 12-2003  |
The jitney operates based in part on grant money. The routes will be expanded later this year, but it's still not going to serve the whole town, and it's not going to run all day (though there has been talk of expanding some hours.) The jitney is far more expensive than the salary of the driver. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1970 Registered: 4-2002 |
jayjay: There was a survey sent out to the whole village (via the Gaslight) and was available on the village website. I posted the link a couple of months ago. I suggest you call the parking authority if you would like more information. As Cmonty says, there are other expenses other than the driver. The grants from NJ transit require that the routes be geared towards commuters (that eventually take the train or bus). At one point the desire is to service the full village and to run more frequently than just rush hours. It remains to be seen how many people will pay to use a jitney service. | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2005 |
I guess I'm still not clear about the cost situation. If its not the cost of the driver that keeps it idle, then what is it? Insurance? What? I am wondering why it can't operate sort of like a cab service on a call-up basis to take follks back and forth from the train, as well as on a schedule to meet or take people to certain trains. And why is it limited to certain parts of town, and the flat terrain part of town at that. I did see the survey in the gaslight, but the questions didn't cover these issues, so it was hard to respond. Mr. Rosner, maybe you could forward these on to the approrpiate people. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1973 Registered: 4-2002 |
There is the cost of the jitney, the cost of gas, maintenance, etc. The original jitney route was in response to a survey that was done back then. There was significant interest from the residents in Tuxedo park specifically and virtually none from the Newstead area. To operate a jitney like a cab would mean the drivers would have to accept money (right now you have to purchase a ten trip or annual pass). In order for a jitney to be successful it needs people to use them regularly (as opposed to just when the weather is bad). At this point in time, the jitney service will be limited to coordinate with peak hour train service. The survey was meant to gauge how much interest there was from different areas of town. It would have made sense to have completed the survey and attached some comments. If you want me to forward any issues, please send me an email (mrosnernyc@yahoo.com) with your comments and I will forward to the parking authority. | ||
| sullymw Citizen Username: Sullymw Post Number: 698 Registered: 5-2001  |
so, what's the current plan, if any? | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2005 |
Is there a published route and time schedule? | ||
| gotcha Citizen Username: Gotcha Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2005 |
http://www.southorange.org/forms/sopa/jitney.pdf The layout fails when I cut and pasted it., but it looks fine at the website. MONTROSE & TUXEDO PARK JITNEY SERVICE TO SOUTH ORANGE TRAIN STATION (Sloan Street) FOR COMMUTERS TO/FROM NYC&HOBOKEN South Orange Village & S. O. Parking Authority Effective April 24, 2005 MORNING ARRIVAL SCHEDULE Location Time Time Time Time Time Grove Rd. & Raymond Ave. 6:13 6:38 7:03 7:49 8:17 Marshall Ct. & University Ct. 6:14 6:40 7:05 7:51 8:19 Sinclair Terr. & So. Kingman Rd. 6:16 6:42 7:06 7:54 8:22 So. Centre St. & Varsity Rd. 6:18 6:44 7:07 7:56 8:24 So. Kingman Rd. & So. Orange Ave. 6:19 6:45 7:08 7:57 8:25 Montrose Ave. & Centre St. 6:21 6:47 7:11 7:59 8:27 Montrose Ave. & Hartford Rd. 6:23 6:49 7:13 8:01 8:29 Charlton Ave. & Irving Ave. 6:25 6:51 7:15 8:03 8:31 Charlton Ave. & Ralston Rd. 6:27 6:53 7:16 8:05 8:33 Arrive South Orange Train Station 6:31 6:59 7:20 8:08 8:36 NYC Express Departure 6:35 7:03 7:34 8:22 9:00 Hoboken Express Departure 6:39 ___ 7:24 8:17 8:39 EVENING DEPARTURE SCHEDULE Location Time Time Time Time Time Time South Orange Train Station Departure 5:33 6:02 6:30 7:03 7:23 7:51 NYC Express Arrival 5:22 5:51 6:22 6:48 7:18 7:48 Hoboken Express Arrival 5:29 5:57 6:25 7:01 7:32 Charlton Ave. & Ralston Rd. Charlton Ave. & Irving Ave. Montrose Ave. & Hartford Rd. Montrose Ave. & Centre St. So. Kingman Rd. & So. Orange Ave. Sinclair Terr. & So. Kingman Rd. So. Centre St. & Varsity Rd. Marshall Ct. & University Ct. Grove Rd. & Raymond Ave. Jitney operates Monday thru Friday except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day. * Schedules are subject to revisions. | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 58 Registered: 5-2005 |
Where is the jitney for Newstead or the west side of town? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 1216 Registered: 5-2004  |
That's the whole point, Lucy. there is none. the only Jitney is for Montrose/Tuxedo Park. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 249 Registered: 4-2005  |
And from what I understand, they were the ones that lobbied the hardest for the stops... not that I agree with that... | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 494 Registered: 8-2004 |
Yeah we know you don't agree with it Sheena because you want a free shuttle for the SHU wannabe South Orange residents but only live here part time students. Where are all those students now? | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 250 Registered: 4-2005 |
Taylor M, Funny how you only come out to bash SHU students... But actually, SHU never wanted a "free" shuttle"... and furthermore, a survey was sent out to our students about the use of a jitney and/or a private shuttle and one of the divisions on campus will be working with the village on this joint effort (Care to chime in Kris?) But, thanks again for the concern. Have a nice night. BTW - are you referring to the several hundred students on campus right now for summer session? Or the hundred or so that live in South Orange? If you'd like to meet them, I'd be happy to show you around. Buh-bye now  | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 157 Registered: 2-2005 |
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE VANS THAT SHU HAD 8 YEARS AGO...THE STUDENTS DIDN'T USE THEM ENOUGH? WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT NOW? THE JITNEY WILL GO TO THE TRAIN...THE SHUTTLE WENT TO THE TRAIN? | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 60 Registered: 5-2005 |
O&G Maybe the students and faculty will go to the train too! | ||
| Two Sense Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 329 Registered: 7-2004 |
Do students ever use NJ Transit's 107 bus, which travels from Irvington Avenue and Ward Place to Sloan Street, near the South Orange train station? | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 159 Registered: 2-2005 |
That wasn't my point...they had their own shuttle that went to the train and various parts of town...decided it was too expensive and underused by students and stopped the program....So why should the village fund the same program the students failed to use 8 years ago? | ||
| Joe Krause Citizen Username: Wkrause3 Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2005 |
Taylor M- I love how you think there are no residents of South Orange who are ALSO students of Seton Hall. I think you need to find some inner-happiness or a hobby because engulfing yourself in the hatred of "part-time" residents is taking years off your life. When I am spending my money in the Village I will wave to you. I am a student who chooses to live in South Orange year round. See you around. | ||
| Kristen Williamson Citizen Username: Kris219 Post Number: 40 Registered: 4-2005 |
Sorry I couldn't chime in earlier, my lil sister had an appendix issue so I haven't been near a computer. I've been working closely with transportation issues around campus and here are some points to help everyone out: Two Sense: Students don't use the buses because they are excessively unreliable. I know more than one person who got a job at the Livingston Mall, but because they relied on those buses, they were either over 1 hours early or 20-40 minutes late. Something that doesn't have a reliable schedule won't be used by students in between classes or employees going to and from work. Taylor M...when exactly did Sheena say she was personally looking for a free shuttle service for the students? She didn't ask for any expensive handouts...and for that matter...do you have any legitimate proof of any authority from SHU who is expecting freebies with the jitney? I have yet to find out what people are refering to when they keep saying that SHU is looking for access to an expensive village-funded jitney? If someone cares to enlighten me, or back up their arguments at least, I would really like to know where this is coming from... Old & Gray, I am not sure if SHU ever had "all those vans"...I do remember there being one van, and it was pretty much a mini-van from what I've been told. I'm not sure where it serviced exactly, but I doubt it was based only on the train station. The SHU use for the train station is mainly at the commuting times (just like the Jitney), so having a service to the train on the "off-peak" times probably wasn't too popular. Also I think that having a little van is not a smart idea anyway. If I want to go to lunch with my friends between classes, I have to worry about the limited amount of seating...I don't think there were more than 4-6 seats on that van. That would discourage me if I have a choice to spend money on campus or spend it in SO...especially considering students and employees are on time limits (employees have timed lunch breaks and students have class schedules). This works the same way for the buses that aren't reliable. Sometimes no matter how much I want to go into town, my schedule doesn't allow it because fighting for parking (at SHU and in SO) takes up way too much time. But if that reliable jitney stopped by, that would be a different story. It would be used by the SHU community, but once again, no one asked for it to be free. Lucy- You're exactly right. Students, employees and faculty all use the train for commuting on a regular basis, and on top of that there are always those who use it sporadically for meals, outings, NYC, or whatever else. The 9-5 commuter crowd exists at SHU too...not just in the town. Joe- Thank you for posting the truth...I believe the word "wannabe" is quite inappropriate.We can leave that word to the Spice Girls, please (I hope some of you understand that 90's pop culture joke)... Anyway Taylor M's comment almost implies that SO is some secret society with exclusive membership...well, uh, it's not. It's just a town, but a great one that students want to be a part of, just like Joe. You can't exclude a resident just because you hate them for being a student. Are you trying to start some kind of student's rights movement? Let's not go there because all Jayjay wanted to know was what's going on with the Jitney in town. To me, it is pretty clear that funding is the greatest issue. The grants don't completely cover everything, they are merely an assistance to the town to encourage commuter use of NJ Transit. I have seen the proposal paperwork, and SO did ask for at least 4 routes I believe, but when the funding came back, they could only afford the priority routes, which are for the NJ Transit commuters. I think that is enough info and opinion for now! Kristen | ||
| Irvington Pirate Citizen Username: Irvingtonpirate Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2005 |
>That wasn't my point...they had their own shuttle that went to the train and various parts of town...decided it was too expensive and underused by students and stopped the program....So why should the village fund the same program the students failed to use 8 years ago? O&G - This is just a guess here but I'm pretty sure that most of the students who were on campus 8 years ago have probably graduated. For Taylor and O&G - I haven't seen any SHU students asking for any free stuff from the village. Where are you guys getting that from? | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 1106 Registered: 12-2001  |
Has any formal request been made to SHU to fund this transportation need for the students? Can you share any/all of these formal requests and what the response was of the administration? | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 160 Registered: 2-2005 |
The vans were full size commuter vans that could seat 11 - 15 students. My son graduated from Seton Hall and took it to the train for two years while commutting. It would go from Campus to the Valley Street dorms down into the center of town and to the train station. It ran most of the day. It failed to get usership and the program was discontinued. Why should the Village start servicing SHU with Municipal funded buses when residents who pay enormous tax dollars aren't seeing buses in their neighborhoods yet? If Students want a campus shuttle then let Student government lease a van, or contribute funds to the Jitney program. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 254 Registered: 4-2005 |
Yes, there has been a request and the response was positive - by the fall semester, everyone will see what was agreed upon. I'm not in a position to discuss the details of it as of right now. Old and Gray, with all due respect, I do not think you are comprehending one word that any of the students are saying. Speaking for myself, I do not want SHU to lease a van, I would rather see a contribution of funds to the Jitney program as a joint effort... From the results from the survey that thousands of students filled out, there is obviously a need for transportation to the village (it may not have been that way 8 years ago). ON THE SURVEY - it also asked questions like "how much money would you be willing to pay for a ride on the jitney" and answers such as $.50 $1.00, etc. That information is useful in determining how to finance this service if students need them. My concern from the beginning was the initial application from the village to NJTransit had SHU written all over it. 1) bring the students to the downtown area 2) the village services a major employment site "SHU", etc. etc. etc. The response from the BOT was that the funds were granted for "commuter purposes". Okay, no problem. That means that SHU will have to investigate and determine how many students would use this service, what times are the best, and what we can do to fund it... Is there any clarity here or must we keep going? Taylor M - care to chime in? After your remarks I PLed you the details of all this... | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1186 Registered: 3-2003 |
Sheena - My recollection is that recently in one of your posts you mentioned $90,000. Is this correct? | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 255 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Spitz, I don't believe so. $90k in regards to a Jitney? | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 495 Registered: 8-2004 |
NICE TRY YOU NEVER SENT ME A PL | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1187 Registered: 3-2003 |
Hey back at you. It was in relation to something else, but you said (I think) something like "no more than SHU wants to pay in execess of $90,000 for the jitney." I read it thinking SHU had been having conversations with the Village. I was probably reading something into it. Enjoy your summer. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 256 Registered: 4-2005 |
My apologies if you didn't receive it, I could be wrong. Some of my PLs seem to get lost every once in a while. But just to make sure: Ohhh Dave... need a verification. Was a PL sent from my account to Taylor M early on July 10th? | ||
| Kristen Williamson Citizen Username: Kris219 Post Number: 41 Registered: 4-2005 |
Spitz, having a fully functioning service could definately cost that amount, maybe a little more or less depending on the details of the service. But SGA most likely does not have the funds to personally either purchase a bus/van or donate an adequate amount of money. From what I remember, it would pretty much take their whole budget to run the right amount of vans at the right times to meet SHU community needs. "Why should the Village start servicing SHU with Municipal funded buses when residents who pay enormous tax dollars aren't seeing buses in their neighborhoods yet?" ^Once again, where is that coming from? No one is asking for that...so why are you defending the imaginary argument? Oh and fyi, the Jitney is also largely funded by NJ Transit grants and the users who pay for an annual pass or for 10 rides, so it isn't entirely from the municipality, but once again, no one is asking for tax dollars to fund a SHU shuttle. There were many other neighborhoods who were included in the grant proposal to start up the Jitney. They were many left out because the monies just weren't there. Like Mark said, it was a commuter-based grant. So somehow, somewhere, this current route was discovered to be the best to serve the commuters, or at least as many as possible within the SO budget. Singlemalt-I don't know of the Village approaching the school with a proposal. I have heard that there were admin who met with the Parking Authority sometime in the past and things were promised to SHU, but I believe those promises were never kept because they were made by a person(or people) who couldn't really back it up. I don't know many details though. If you're referring to the students coming to the administration, I did create a survey that was distrubuted across the campus in April in collaboration with Parking Services. We wanted to guage the current wants and needs in reference to transportation. I know the administration wants to see what results we've found, but I don't think I will know whats going on until something really happens. There isn't any formal proposal that I know about, only recommendations and suggestions based on the information that has been found. If I find out anything more, I will try and share it, but at this point, we've pretty much just got the survey results. Kristen | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 496 Registered: 8-2004 |
Well Sheena- I'd be surprised if Dave would answer your question without my permission - soooooo, Dave... Funny because after I read your post this morning I sent myself an email from MOL. Guess what? It still hasn't arrived. I also copied and pasted my registered MOL address from my profile page into an AOL email to test the address. I got that email right away. So, I'm thinking there is a problem between MOL and AOL. That aside, I'll ask again the same question I've asked you at least 5 times. Do you have a driver's license? If you do, does it have a South Orange address? My guess is 'No!' Whatever address is on your license is your legal address. | ||
| Jeff DuBowy Supporter Username: Jeffd Post Number: 114 Registered: 11-2003 |
Two Jitney buses are on order. My understanding is that they will be arriving in September. Looks like the new Jitney route will be in Newstead and South Mountain area. A third jitney and an additional route should be operational by year end. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 263 Registered: 4-2005 |
Taylor M, I hope that your children, if/when they go to college, don't encounter the same treatment from the community that you have displayed. BTW, glad you fixed your PL trouble. | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 73 Registered: 5-2005 |
Sheena how was your softball game? Is that a picture of you as young girl deep in thought? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 1275 Registered: 5-2004 |
Taylor, perhaps you should take up your issues with the government, and not the students. It's really getting old here... | ||
| Starletta8 Supporter Username: Starletta8 Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2004 |
Taylor, I have several questions/points for you. What about the graduate students who commute to jobs just like every other SO resident? Many of them keep their legal residence in another state because they can't afford everything that comes along with full-fledged NJ residency! Should they be punished for being students without a lot of financial means? Also, I'd argue that retaining newly minted alumni in the community is essential. Not all fall in love with the town like I have. Of course, if students perceive open hostility from many community members, they're not inclined to stay. Yet, with every student who stays, that person gains residency and begins to contribute financially. The lack of younger tax payers will hurt SO in the long-run. Lastly, I understand the animosity towards SHU. Unfortunately, I experienced it as an undergraduate in another state. Yet, Seton Hall, and its students, faculty and staff are a part of the South Orange community. Enabling that base to get downtown will bring many positive effects, especially when SHU was an initial part of the grant application (if I'm reading correctly!) | ||
| Kristen Williamson Citizen Username: Kris219 Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2005 |
Starletta8- Great post, except if a student/faculty/or employee decides to stay in SO, they don't " begin to contribute financially"...cause most of us already are contributing financially to the town, but not in the form of property taxes, of course  Kristen} | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 267 Registered: 4-2005 |
Lucy - The game was awesome! Pulled something in my hamstring, can't walk too well, and got pretty banged up sliding into home plate... but I LOVED IT. Gosh... I'm getting too old for this kid's play  The avatar is courtesy of a deal I have with Singlemalt... he can tell you more about it. I came to see you last week but I had missed you Sparky and Starletta - thank you... | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 76 Registered: 5-2005 |
Jeff glad hear the jitney is coming soon... | ||
| sullymw Citizen Username: Sullymw Post Number: 716 Registered: 5-2001 |
what is the name of the SO section where Mayhew Court and Laurel Place are? | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1727 Registered: 1-2004  |
Newstead... Why? |
