Riders scramble to adjust to new commute after DeCamp Bus Lines ends service
WEST ORANGE, N.J. -- It was a scramble for some commuters between New Jersey and New York City Monday after their usual bus line ended its service last week.
"I just hope everything goes off without a glitch. Pick up some of that routine that we just lost," Mary Clark of West Orange said.
It was Clark's first day trying out her new NJ TRANSIT bus route from West Orange to Midtown, Manhattan since DeCamp bus line shut down commuter service. Its last day was Friday.
"We were all in a panic, scrambling, trying to find alternate ways," Linda Inwood of West Orange said.
NJ TRANSIT announced it's offering emergency bus service. It extended four existing routes to accommodate about 85% it's weekday DeCamp customers.
"Fortunately, NJ TRANSIT stepped in," Inwood said.
However, some areas are still not covered. Remaining customers will have to use existing bus shuttles or train service.
"I'm really hoping NJ TRANSIT opens more options," Hannah Connell of West Orange said.
DeCamp, a Montclair-based family owned business, says low ridership forced them to shut down their commuter lines. Pre-pandemic, ridership was nearly 7,000 daily passengers. It's now down to about 1,250.
"It's incredibly difficult. You're looking at 153 years of servicing the residents of Essex County," CEO Jonathan DeCamp said.
DeCamp will continue to operate charter and shuttle service. Some drivers will be shifted over, but union officials say nearly two thirds of workers are leaving, or being laid off.
"What about the people who now don't have a job? Where are they going to go? Can they get their job back?" Clark said.
CBS2's Natalie Duddridge talked to some drivers at DeCamp's headquarters who couldn't speak on camera, but told her it's a sad time for the company, but say they're the lucky ones whose jobs haven't been impacted - at least, for now.
NJ TRANSIT says they're currently hiring 200 bus drivers across the state.
As for bus schedules, there's no emergency replacement service on weekends.
