Bloomfield Expands Shuttle Bus Service To Ease DeCamp Fallout

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield is beefing up its local shuttle bus service in an effort to help commuters get to New York City, town officials announced Thursday.

On Monday, DeCamp Bus Lines said it will be ending commuter service across the Hudson River in early April. Read More: End Of An Era For DeCamp Bus; NJ Company Stopping NYC Routes

“DeCamp Bus Lines has struggled to recapture daily commuter passengers as work-from-home, telecommuting and flex schedules severely reduced daily commuting to New York City,” the company said. “Despite our best efforts, monthly ridership averages 20 percent or less of pre-COVID levels.”

The company will continue to run daily charter, shuttle and casino services, spokespeople said.

With some local DeCamp riders calling for action, local officials have said they’re trying to find solutions before the company ends service to New York City on April 7. One possible idea? An assist from NJ Transit.

“NJ Transit is currently assessing the impacts of DeCamp's decision to cease their limited post-pandemic commuter service,” a spokesperson told Patch earlier this week. “Part of that assessment is identifying the alternatives already available on existing NJ Transit bus, rail and light rail service. We'll communicate available alternatives for affected DeCamp customers in advance of April 7.”

• See Related: DeCamp Bus Is Stopping NYC Trips; Officials Look To NJ Transit

SHUTTLE SERVICE IN BLOOMFIELD

Elected officials including U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), who represents towns including Bloomfield, and Mayor Michael Venezia have issued statements about the ongoing effort to find a future beyond DeCamp.

“The loss of this bus route will have a significant impact on the lives of residents, especially those who are most vulnerable and dependent on public transportation,” Venezia said.

According to a statement from the mayor’s office:

“Mayor Venezia and the town council are committed to working with other bus companies to ensure a new service is provided in a timely manner and which meets the needs of the community. After DeCamp made their unexpected decision to terminate beginning on April 7, Mayor Venezia contacted NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett requesting his agency take over service of the route.”

“We are committed to getting our residents to where they need to go, and while these alternatives are not ideal, I want to assure the Bloomfield community that my administration will not rest until a reliable solution has been found,” Venezia said.

One possible stopgap? The town’s own shuttle bus.

On April 10, Bloomfield will be expanding its existing shuttle service, which will take residents to the Allwood (Clifton) Park and Ride, from which they can transfer to the 192 bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, as well as several other alternatives.

According to the mayor’s office, in addition to the new shuttle service, Bloomfield residents can also:

• Take the existing shuttle bus to the train station, and then take a train into the city
• Take the 709 bus route from Broad and Liberty to the Allwood (Clifton) Park and Ride, and then transfer to the 192 bus which goes directly to the Port Authority
• Take the 72 bus to Newark Penn Station, and then take either the PATH or New York City-bound train

Venezia’s office released additional information about the town’s shuttle service:

“A 50-ride shuttle bus pass is $25 and can be purchased at the Civic Center, 84 Broad Street, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday nights until 9 p.m. For the convenience of those wishing to purchase a shuttle bus pass prior to the termination of DeCamp’s service, the Civic Center will also be open on Saturday, April 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Payment by cash, check, or credit card is accepted, and for more information, please call the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department at (973) 743-9074.”

See more information about the Bloomfield shuttle bus schedule and additional route here.

SHERRILL: ‘RELIABLE ACCESS TO TRANSIT IS CRUCIAL’

On Wednesday, Rep. Sherrill sent a letter referencing the DeCamp situation to the chair and ranking member of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Read it here.

In her letter, Sherrill urged Reps. Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Mike Quigley of Illinois to provide the “highest possible level of funding” for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs as they begin drafting the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bill for the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

“In my New Jersey district, a commuter line—which has operated for 153 years—announced this week that it would cut its commuter bus service due to decreased ridership,” the congresswoman wrote.

“Not only has this left riders in search of options to make their way from North Jersey to Manhattan, it has imperiled the good union jobs that the commuter service supports,” she continued. “As you know, reliable access to transit is crucial for economic dynamism and competitiveness, and I am concerned that major gaps in New Jersey’s transportation network will emerge in the absence of immediate action.”

“With this in mind, I urge you to take all available actions to protect bus and transit access,” Sherrill said. “This should include providing the highest possible level of funding for the FTA, including the FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants within the Transit Formula Grants program and other grants that support state public transit agencies, as well as re-opening the covered period and providing the highest possible funding level for the CERTS program.”

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