The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].
Question:
Hi, I see that you have a section ask the mayor, my question is like this, I’m a bus driver in Lakewood, I come across a lot of tracks during my routes, there is a law that a bus has to stop by every train track, I don’t wanna go into the discussion why it’s necessary, my opinion is that it has no pshat at all but whatever, but it’s extremely annoying to stop by tracks that isn’t in use for years. For example on Whitesville and Faraday you barely see the tracks from all the grass and trees that grew on the tracks, trains never cross there. I’m sure there are plenty more tracks that are not in use, the joke is that I sometimes see police standing there to enforce it… and let’s say that there are a few tracks that are in use it’s only maybe 11 pm. I personally only saw once a train in Lakewood it was probably a mistake… why don’t they put an Exempt sign that buses shouldn’t have to stop for nothing, by bus routes every minute counts.
Thanks!
Response from Mayor Coles:
Hi,
We do not have any abandoned tracks in town. They are all currently in use, even though the trains only come by occasionally.
It is a state law that busses and certain types of vehicles must stop at every train crossing. This is strictly a safety measure. Trains can come at various times and it is impossible to say for certain when. I have seen enough videos of trucks and cars getting stuck on a track in the path of an oncoming train. I would never want to see a school bus in a similar position.
Thank you for being a bus driver. It is an incredibly important job these days. I understand your frustration at times, but I am sure you share nay concern over the safety of the children in your care.
Stay safe
Ray
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I beg to differ with the Mayor, The tracks on Cross street are not used, There is even trees growing in middle of the tracks! The same tracks continue to Toms River and they put up a sign that it is no longer in use.
Thank you for all!
I have personally witnessed cross ones in use. The Faraday ones maybe not but it could be that that is a Toms River issue
I’m a bus driver as well. The reason buses must stop before the tracks is so that you make sure there is enough room to clear the tracks with your long bus. For example, it often that the traffic on County Line Rd or Rte. 88 backs up until the tracks and you can get stuck. Cars in such a situation have an easier time maneuvering in case of an emergency.
Mr.Mayor,
The majority of us are not train conductors nor are we licensed to operate trains. As such, why don’t you find out the train schedule and post specific times when buses must stop?! It shouldn’t be such a diffcult task.
Is this guy serious?!
Perhaps some of those videos should be shared with bus drivers. Maybe while they’re getting the CDL licenses. This can help convey the “pshat” a little better.
Thanks to all our amazing bus drivers for all that you do (and put up with) every day!
the question asked was definitely valid, the WAY it was asked is an extreme chutzpah to the mayor.
TLS should only send the mayor questions that are asked in an appropriate and serious manner.
It seems that the people just send in to the Scoop and the Mayor sees it from there. Now that we know that, we can pose questions in a more proper way, befitting of the honorable Mayor.
Mayors Coles is doing an in depth study of all the Rishonim to answer your question about pshat.
To comment number one: Do u think Mayor Coles knows what the word pshat means?