Morristown, Morris Twp. Offering Private Buses As N.J. Transit Strike Nears

MORRIS TWP., N.J. – On Sunday, March 13, there may not be a single New Jersey Transit train in action.

And for commuters in Morris Township and Morristown, who often depend on the rail lines to get to and from work, that could be ominous.

As New Jersey Transit and the 4,000 union employees who work the rails and buses continue to negotiate over a new contract – the first in five years – commuters and towns are making backup plans.

Morris Township and Morristown have announced they will be offering private, cash-only bus rides from the heart of the county to New York City for those in need of a travel system, starting Monday, March 14.

According to Morris Township:

The current plan is to run four (4) buses weekdays only (holiday excluded) starting at 6:00 AM from Convent Train Station parking lot. Buses would leave when full. Last bus to leave promptly at 7:00 AM. Drop-off in New York City would be at

34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Pick-up would be at the same location starting at 5:00 PM with the last bus leaving promptly at 6:00 PM.

The round trip cost would be $25.00 per day (CASH ONLY) which covers the cost of the bus rental. Tickets will be sold to parking permit holders at the Church parking lot utilized by the Township on a daily first come, first served basis. Parking permits must be presented to Township personnel. Morris Township Police personnel will also be on site to maintain order in the event of picket lines. If seats are available, they will be open to the general public.

It would be helpful for us to determine the correct number of buses if you could confirm by return e-mail to clerk@morristwp.com whether you have an interest in participating.

Morristown will be running a similar service, as outlined here:

• Four (4) buses will operate on weekdays (holidays excluded)
• Buses will begin boarding from the Morristown Train Station starting at 6:00am. Buses will depart as they fill. The last bus will leave at 7:00am.
• Buses will return to Morristown leaving from 31st Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in Manhattan. Buses will begin boarding at 5:00 pm and depart as they fill. The last bus will depart at 6:00pm.
• Cost is $25.00 per person round-trip and must be paid in cash with exact change. This fee covers the cost of the bus rental.
• Tickets will be sold each morning before buses depart. Ticketing will begin at 5:00am at the train station and continue until tickets are sold out or 7:00am. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. To ensure the appropriate level of service is available, it would be useful to gauge interest in this service. If you plan on using this service, please send an email to manhattanbus@townofmorristown.org.

If the strike does indeed occur, New Jersey Transit will have bus service from five major locations in New Jersey that will travel into New York City during peak travel times on weekdays only. For more on that, go here.