To whom this may concern-I am reaching out to you for your help being as I have exhausted all other options, and I am at wits end. The New Jersey transit recently approved a fare hike going into effect shortly. A ten trip discount bus fare is increasing from ninety five dollars to approximately one hundred and forty dollars. To combat this unfair increase, my friends and I, (many others like us) have turned to a “Car-Pool”; where we take turns driving our private vehicles into the city, daily. About two weeks ago the Port Authority made it illegal for any car to travel in the bus lane into the Lincoln tunnel. Until now, cars with three or more occupants (aka a car-pool) were permitted to travel in this lane. The drive into Manhattan was a breeze, allowing cars in this lane to bypass the daily grid and shave off at least twenty five minutes a day of “stop and go” traffic. I’m not going to point out the positives of a car pool and the effect on the environment, fuel emissions etc.
Now, with this lane being open to Buses only, instead of an easy commute, we sit in unneeded traffic.
We can debate the pros and cons of a car pool, private transportation versus public transportation. The point is, I along with many others feel that the Port Authority does not have their paying customers in mind.
We have tried numerous methods to reach someone at the Port Authority for an explanation. The response we received was, “it is final and that is it”.
Perhaps you can forward this request, that the Port Authority will end this ban on car pools to someone who can explain it to us logically, and perhaps over-turn this seemingly absurd ban.
Thank you for your time,
“Stuck behind the bus no more”
Of course they don’t care about you, as long as your paying the high tolls thats what counts. They would probably prefer you don’t car pool, this way they get some more tolls!!!
What are you talking about? I am travelling to new york for almost 15 years. There have never been cars allowed in the bus lane. It’s called a bus lane for a reason!
Move your work out of NY. You’llhow they’ll come begging.
I don’t get it. I’ve been commuting for 20+ years to Manhattan and have NEVER seen cars in the bus lane going into the Lincoln Tunnel in the morning rush. Cars are not allowed in that lane.
Are you talking about the HOV lane on the Turnpike? That is NOT Port Authority jurisdiction & its called a High Occupancy Vehicle lane for a reason. If you have 3+ people, you’re allowed to use it. Please check your facts.
You can try with 2 or more the Staten Island Expressway HOV lane and then in Brooklyn with 3 or more the Gowanus HOV lane directly into the Battery Tunnel with the extra toll of course. The West Side Highway onto 10th Av. should get you there in decent time. If you are sitting in tunnel traffic for 25 minutes this route should save you time as it’s still open to cars in Brooklyn with 3 occupants and in Staten Island with 2 from 6-10 AM.
get a private bus.
It actually went up to $149 for a 10 pack
I just want to focus on the outrage of raising tolls so much.The government tells us use mass transit, Obama spends billions on an energy bill, but then they make mass transit unaffordable.If they can spends so many billions on the ‘working poor’ (programs) how about spending something to ensure that who don’t qualify for programs and pay taxes stay in the work force?I’m seriously considering quitting my job in the city getting a local clerical job that pays that 20,000 and living off programs.The government isn’t giving me a choice.
I’m in the same situation. Recently switched to carpool and now they take away the hov lane. I don’t think its a coincidence. I believe they don’t want to lose everyone to car pool so they try to take away some of the advantages of car pool. If you go through union city, the wait is only 10-15 minutes. You can also try emailing [email protected]. He is high up in the port authority. Perhaps with enough pressure we can get them to reverse this short sighted decision.
Please speak to the guys on the “B&H van.” I once got a ride in with them and they take a side street which avoid sall the traffic. They get off at the end of the turnpike and take some side street that goes all the way until the tunnel. It was a breeze.
Don’t waste time writing letters yourself. If you get together enough signatures you can send it to our local elected officials and see what they can do to help things.
It’s about time that they work to help not only local buisnesses but also those of us that commute for work.
Frankly, while I am upset with the increases I am more upset that with huge growth in lakewood and the increase in people commuting to the city, they have yet to add a single express bus to the schedule getting to the city. Other than rush hours on weekdays, your only option getting to the city is driving or taking a 2 hour local bus.
Contrast that with toms river that has express busses running at all hours and all days.
Why those toms river busses dont stop at the lakewood exit 91 before continuing on is beyond me.
you should use the heimishe buses now they come out cheaper
Maybe Herschel could help. Herschel can ask the state senator to help and speak with Christie, because the Port Authority is jointly owned by the states of NY and NJ.
Talk to your good buddy Senator Singer about it. Surly he can do something. After all, he has been in office for 30 years and must surly know someone.
The lane that is now restricted is not the bus lane but the HOV lane which was accessed by exiting 495 in Union City and travelling thru the streets into Weehawken.It has now added at least 15 minutes daily to my commute.That lane is controlled by the PA.
There is no question that they made this move in conjunction with the raise of bus fares to force people out of their cars onto NJ Transit busses.
To #5- Please re-read the article- there is no mention of the turnpike
Check your Facts
Rockhound-
We Bypass the traffic to the tunnel by going thru Union City (what Passaic Guy is saying) when you turn to get into the tunnel you enter a HOV/Bus lane- this is the lane from orig article.
point being, when the radio says half hour delay at tunnel, you only have 15-20 min tops from turnpike, thru the tunnel
#11-
This Breezey method you speak of, is now a nighmare- that was the point of the article-
Yitzy-
there is no way you traveled to the city from jersey for close to twenty years, and have no clue what the author is talking about-
If you have no clue, Givalt on all those hours you wasted sitting thru traffic when you could have bypassed it-