Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge restoration of direct Monroe–Jersey City commuter bus; council will advocate to operators
Summary
Several Monroe Township residents urged the council to push NJ Transit or private coach companies to restore a direct commuter bus to Jersey City, saying commutes have lengthened since service stopped after COVID; the administration said it will accept rider data and advocate but does not control operators' choices.
Multiple residents asked Monroe Township Council on March 2 to help restore direct commuter bus service to Jersey City, telling the council that people who formerly relied on a coach service face longer, costlier commutes without a replacement.
Michelle Kohler said she and coworkers who travel to Jersey City used to take a direct Monroe coach before COVID and that many still need a reliable connection. “We used to have a Monroe bus during COVID. It’s been a number of years, and a lot of us are suffering,” Kohler said during public comment, adding that riders are willing to provide petitions and pledges of ridership to justify reinstating service.
Resident Sangeeta Goli said she and colleagues compiled preliminary ridership interest data showing 100+ residents who would ride a direct route and urged the council to ask NJ Transit or Coach to run a pilot. “A direct bus route utilizing HOV lanes could significantly reduce travel time, improve safety, and provide a more efficient alternative,” Goli said.
Business Administrator McGowan said the township has reached out to Coach and NJ Transit in 2025 and will continue to advocate but that those companies make independent operational decisions. McGowan invited riders to provide detailed data about origin neighborhoods and expected riders so the administration can press operators with concrete numbers.
Next step: The administration said it will collect rider data and signatures and will reach out again to transit operators on residents’ behalf; council members said they will advocate but noted the township cannot unilaterally restore service if an operator declines.
