“This is not a bailout of some mismanaged business,” Codey said. That $75 million program was created by a budget resolution by State Sen. Some federal aid was extended to private bus companies through the federal CERTS Act and federal payroll protection aid.Ĭodey’s program would provide $60 million to reactivate the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program, administered by the state EDA. The motorcoach industry was hit from both sides, losing revenue for bus charters and commuter operations during the pandemic. Three federal relief acts sent billions of dollars to transit agencies, including NJ Transit, to maintain service levels and make up for revenue losses during the pandemic. The bus runs would service West Caldwell and Montclair and were created after a survey of 1,300 DeCamp riders, said Joe Colangelo, Boxcar transit CEO and founder.Ĭodey’s bill would fill the gap in COVID-19 pandemic aid between private bus carriers and public transit agencies. Meanwhile, Boxcar, a subscription commuter bus service, plans to offer service that is a hybrid of DeCamp’s 33 and 66 routes to and from New York starting April 10. The company will continue to operate charter and shuttle service. The legislation is a response to an announcement that DeCamp, the state’s oldest private bus company, planned to end commuter service on April 7 because of low post pandemic ridership that is not covering the cost of running the service. If approved, the state Economic Development Authority would administer the fund, he said in a statement. Richard Codey, D-Essex, plans to propose legislation that would create a $60 million relief fund for private bus carriers affected by the coronavirus pandemic to maintain commuter service. ![]() ![]() Two competing efforts are underway to help commuters, who could be left without a ride next month when DeCamp bus plans to end commuter service due to low ridership.
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