BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — The township's new transportation schedule was released this week, moving what used to be a five-day-a-week schedule into three days because of a loss of funding.
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, The local bus will operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on a fixed schedule throughout the year between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the exception of federal holidays and extreme weather. The cost is $1 for each one-way ride.
Tim Roetman, director of the township's Community Services and Recreation Department, made his proposal to the mayor and council last month showing how the township could continue the service after losing $110,000 in federal grant money. It is left with less than $37,000 in township funding but Roetman believes it can be done on this tight budget.
This transportation system is for everyone in the township. It is a fixed route that picks people up and drops them off at specific spots. However, residents may flag the bus down for a ride if they see it pass. Riders may also request a drop off along the route, such as at a bank, doctor's office or restaurant. They should just let the driver know
It operates in a cloverleaf pattern, starting in the center of town and heading to different part of town, returning to ShopRite, the A&P Plaza, Hillcrest Community Center, the library and other points.
The cloverleaf system will remain in place, with additional service areas.
“Proposed stops along the route include Lincoln Hill Village, Awosting, pick-up along Ridge Road and Westbrook Road, as well as a stop in Bald Eagle Village,” said Roetman. “We believe these additional stops will allow the township to serve a larger percentage of residents, providing them with access to main shopping hubs, banks and doctor’s offices along Macopin Road, Greenwood Lake Turnpike and Union Valley Road.”
Roetman said riders should take into account unforeseen traffic, road closures and bad weather, allowing 10 minutes before and after the schedule time for the bus.
Along the wayAwosting — The bus will travel up Awosting Road to Long Pond Road and park at the clubhouse for pickup and drop off. Someone with special circumstances, such as a physical disability, may call the Transportation Office before 8 a.m. the day they plan to ride to arrange for a pickup closer to their home.
Ridge Road/Macopin Road — Contact the Transportation Office before 8 a.m. by phone or email to schedule a pickup.
Lincoln Hill Village — This area is by request only. Call or email the Transportation Office before 8 a.m. the day that service is needed and let them know the time you are requesting.
Upper Greenwood Lake — The bus will circle the lake along North Lake Shore Drive. If a resident has a special circumstance and needs the bus to deviate slightly from the route, they should call the office before 8 a.m.
The Transportation Office phone number is 973-728-2863; the email is transportation@westmilford.org.
RidershipCurrently, Roetman said, there are about 58 one-way rides per day, totaling 14,000 one-way rides per year. Although mostly seniors and the disabled are served by the bus system, this is open to all residents.
This new route is a more efficient and robust route, Roetman said, than is currently in place, hitting more areas and stopping at more locations to better serve the public.
Different from paratransitThe county-provided paratransit system is different from this one. That system, which is only for seniors and the disabled, requires that a resident call to make an appointment in advance. It is not a fixed-route system. The township is in talks with the county for changes to that system that will provide easier accessibility and shorter wait times to West Milford residents. Those changes are expected to come before the end of this month.
Do you use the bus system? Happy with it? Let us know at westmilfordmessenger.com.