Op-Ed: A Disgruntled Commuter Has His Say

This letter to the editor was submitted by Montclair commuter Stevan Overby Jendi.

Yesterday afternoon on the way back from NYC on the 33 280 Express a few of us rang the bell and requested our stop. The bus driver decided that our requested stop on Fairway Ave/Pleasant Valley Way was not an actual stop. He decided to hold us hostage until he decided it was appropriate to pull over and drop us off about 200 yards down from where we politely and with ample time requested to be dropped off.

It is not the first time this particular driver has decided to argue or downright not stop upon request. Needless to say I let him know my feelings about the situation upon alighting the coach. My language may not have been appropriate, but the situation certainly called for some sort of venting. Mind you there are no posted stops along Pleasant Valley Way which renders any corner on the left an actual stop as is the case with Grove Street.

I contacted DeCamp and the representative begrudgingly noted my complaint. I have been riding DeCamp for almost 6 years now and have a great relationship with many of their drivers. We even caroled Dave Tucker one morning over these past holidays and got him a gift to show our appreciation for his awesome service. We actually waited at the stop and when he opened the door we sang him a modified Xmas carol. 'Oh our Dave's an awesome driver fa la la la la la la la la...makes our mornings swift and brighter fa la la la laaaaaaa la la la la!' 

Drivers like the one I had yesterday set a bad precedent and ruin the reputation of the otherwise wonderful staff that work for this company. 

Sincerely,

Outraged Commuter Steve