Second Day Of Long Lines, Somerville MVC Caps Limit: Video

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Another day of long lines of residents waiting to get into the Somerville Motor Vehicle Commission are being reported Wednesday. Many more came prepared with lawn chairs and coolers after it took some residents about 5 hours yesterday to get to the front.

Walter of Manville arrived in Somerville at 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday and made it almost to the front door at 1:30 p.m. when he was told they weren't talking anymore people.

During that time Walter made friends with other line-mates including Anderson Moronta of Manville. On Wednesday morning they texted each other and met up again at 6 a.m. When they arrived they were already number 188 in line.

The MVC capped the number of people to 250 on Wednesday and handed out tickets.

Marco Tejema of Elizabeth waited in line yesterday in Rahway but said it ended up being shutdown due to fights. He is trying his luck on Wednesday in Somerville.

"This is an essential service and needs to be open," Tejema said of the MVC during the coronvirus. "It was stupid for them to shut it down."

Elizabeth and her son Chrystian Muhleisen of Belle Mead are "dividing and conquering" on Wednesday. The mother and son arrived at 5:50 a.m. and were already in line for 5 hours waiting for registration for Elizabeth's daughter Jules Muhleisen.

Jules on the other hand is waiting in Flemington with her grandmother to get her license for the second day. She has been waiting since June 25 to get it. Jules waited 8 hours in line in Flemington on Tuesday just to be turned away so the family decided to split up on Wednesday to double their chances.

"It's better than it was yesterday," Elizabeth said. "But they really need a better system."

A Twitter user @caitmau5_ shared video of the long line on Wednesday in Somerville that appears to follow Union Avenue (Route 28).

"We've been swapping off at the somerville dmv since 8pm last night i h8 this state," @caitmau5_ tweeted.

After being closed for more than four months, all New Jersey MVC centers reopened to in-person service Tuesday. The state was set to reopen the MVC on June 29, but delayed the opening to July 7 due to continuing concerns about the coronavirus.

Murphy acknowledged the issues as frustrations mounted and lines stretched for the second day at motor vehicles offices across New Jersey, as service resumed after nearly four months of being closed. Read More: NJ Extends MVC Days, Halts Furloughs As Frustrations Mount

"I completely understand the frustration felt by every customer forced to wait on long lines as we reopen and deal with the months and months of backlog caused by the pandemic," he said during his coronavirus pandemic briefing. "You're upset about this, so am I. ... We will do better."

Murphy said all motor vehicles commission staff will be exempted from the state's furloughs, which began June 29 as the state grapples with the impact of lost revenue due to the pandemic. Read more: NJ State Worker Furloughs Could Begin This Monday

In addition, the commission has rescinded its plans to be closed on Mondays through July and instead will be open six days a week (closing only on Sundays) beginning Monday.

Tuesday's lines were also long with many residents waiting about 5 hours. Read More: Somerville MVC Reopens To 5 Hour Long Lines, Traffic Jams: Video

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick spoke out against Murphy on Tuesday after he visited the Motor Vehicle Commission agency in Springfield.

"This is why people are frustrated with government," said Bramnick (R-Union). "Total chaos could have been avoided if the MVC at least handed out numbers as people arrived. People cannot tell where the line begins and there is no communication. This is unacceptable. The department has had more than three months to prepare for this but has failed the people of New Jersey yet again."

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