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tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 1956
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 9:09 pm: |     |
This morning six of us went down to Newark to attend the monthly board meeting and speak to the members about our issue. I didn't catch everyone's name that was there, so I apologize in advance if I leave you out.
Of the seven members of the public who spoke at the meeting, four were from Maplewood and talked about this issue. Art went up first, and referred to NJT's mission statement and its emphasis on quality. He pointed out the troublesome bus traffic, and how all of it is deadheading, and urged that the traffic be more fairly distributed around the state. Art also brought up the petitions that have been circulated, and asked that this be put on the offical agenda, and that a study be done.
After our second speaker, the Executive Director took the floor and committed to a "serious look" at this. He said there were probably some things they can do, and they would get back to us in approx. 30 days with recommendations.
Of course, at this point all of the group who signed up to speak hadn't spoken yet. The next speaker told the board how she appreciated their comments, and added the additional factors of degradation of property values, the dangerous condition of having speeding buses on this narrow street, and the noise. She stressed that we are not looking for bus stops -- we want the buses gone.
She continued and told about the December protest in front of the garage, and how she was one of the ones arrested.
At this point, the Chairman spoke up, who seemed genuinely troubled by what was going on. He said that an implicit part of NJT's mission statement is to be a "good neighbor", and clearly that isn't happening, and expressed regret that the situation should come to a point at which citizens have to protest and be arrested before any action is taken.
The last scheduled speaker from our group was Vic, who gave a summary of the history of the issue since he's been watching it (we understand that the buses have been (ab)using Boyden for about 40 years), along with some statistics and facts.
The lines that use Boyden as a route to the garage are the #1, #37 and #107. The 37 and 107 just do touch on the Maplewood border, along Irvington Ave., but the 1 line doesn't serve Maplewood at all. An earlier meeting with an NJT official took place, but unfortunately this meeting was on September 10, 2001, and beginning the next morning NJT had more important issues to deal with. Nevertheless, at that time there were 1200 buses using Boyden Ave. every week -- 197 every weekday -- all deadheading. By fall of 2003 a 10% reduction had been achieved, to 953 trips per week, 150 every weekday. Of these trips, 75% are between the hours of 4-8 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
Vic strategically welcomed NJT's commitment to working out a solution with us, left copies of the petitions, and got a name of a contact for followup. That person is the VP of Bus Operations, whom we also spoke with after the meeting.
All in all, I think we were heard, and have in hand a commitment to at least come back to us with some ideas. We'll let you know what we hear.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 2439
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 10:08 pm: | |
Tom, thanks for the recap...
I would like to add that NJ Transit's mission statement speaks of safe, convenient, and cost effective service, dedicated to their customer's needs. The mission is ideal, but unfortunately the reality isn't.
While Transit's mission may be to provide cost-effective service, this cost, both in financial savings and inconvenience to the public, needs to be more fairly distributed to the rest of the state.
Many thanks to former Mayor Deluca and the several hundred Maplewood residents who have continued to support this effort. As Tom said, we were heard and I believe we can all expect to receive a response within the next few weeks. |
Crazyguggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 518
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 10:12 pm: | |
Call me crazy, but Vic's known about this for 40 years and is just getting to NJT now?
Call me crazy |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 10:26 pm: | |
The neighbors have finally had enough, and Vic is being good enough to help us out -- even though he doesn't even live on Boyden. OK, you're crazy! |
shaun
Citizen
Username: Shaun
Post Number: 23
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 8:38 am: | |
Thanks for everyone's Hurculean effort on this - sorry I couldn't make it to yesterday's meeting with you.
Shaun |
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