South Orange On the Go! is a collaboration of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, NJ TIP Inc., JCC MetroWest, JCHC and local program partners. Major funding for On the Go! was provided by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. July 2012 Your Guide to Public Transportation
Page 1 Page 18 Introduction New Jersey, and South Orange in particular, enjoys the benefits of an excellent public transportation system. South Orange On The Go! has developed Your Guide to Public Transportation to help South Orange s senior citizens understand available transportation resources. ElderLink Resources ElderLink is a one-stop connection to the vast array of eldercare resources and services available in the local community and beyond. Using public transportation is a safe and economical way to visit family and friends and to travel to stores, restaurants, doctors offices and many other destinations. Riding on the bus can be much easier than fighting traffic and searching for a parking space. Public transportation helps us maintain our independence and self-sufficiency because it allows us to travel wherever and whenever we choose. We can make our own travel decisions without having to rely on other people. We wish to thank the Township and local organizations who helped develop this Guide. Organizations include the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, JCC MetroWest & the Jewish Community Housing Corporation. Major funding for South Orange On The Go! was provided by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. ElderLink is a program of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey and MetroWest CARES (Committee Addressing Resources for Eldercare Services), administered by Jewish Family Service of MetroWest. You can reach ElderLink: Phone: (973) 765-9050 Online: www.elderlinkmetrowest.org NJ TIP Inc. prepared Your Guide to Public Transportation for South Orange On The Go! Please contact us with any comments or questions. (973) 533-1665 NJ TIP is a non-profit organization that teaches people how to use public transportation. If you have been approved for Access Link, but would like free, one-on-one instruction to learn to use the regular NJ TRANSIT bus, please contact us. njtip.org
Page 17 Page 2 Resources Table of Contents SO Senior Mini Bus: (973) 378-7754 x1 Baird Center: (973) 403-4830 Library: (973) 762-0230 Coach USA: Phone: (908) 354-3330 Essex County Division of Senior Services Transportation: (973) 395-5858 NJ TRANSIT Customer Service: (973) 275-5555 Reduced Fare: (973) 491-7112 Access Link: (800) 955-2321 Metro Transport: (973) 325-1359 NJ TIP Inc. Travel Training: (973) 533-1665 JCC MetroWest: (973) 530-3400 Jewish Community Housing Corp (JCHC) (973) 731-2020 Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (973) 929-3000 Introduction 1 Bus Service in South Orange 3 NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare Program 4 Access Link 5 Transit Tips 6 Bus Stop Guide & South Orange Map 7 Livingston Mall Bus Stops 9 JCC MetroWest Bus Stops 10 SO Senior Mini Bus Rules & Map 11 Other Transportation Services 13 Essex County Special Transportation 14 Rail & Bus Service to New York City 15 Resources & ElderLink 17
Page 3 Page 16 Bus Service in South Orange Two NJ TRANSIT bus routes and one Coach USA bus route serve South Orange. They operate seven days a week, but schedules are different on weekends. The #92 bus travels along Valley Road, Scotland Rd, Day St (Orange), Dodd St, Glenwood Ave (Bloomfield Center), Belleville Ave, Franklin Ave. (Belleville) ending at Branch Brook Park Station of the Newark Light Rail. The #107 bus travels through South Orange, Irvington, Newark and into New York. The Coach USA #31 travels along South Orange Ave from Newark through South Orange, West Orange and Livingston (including St. Barnabas Hospital) to the Livingston Mall. At certain times buses operate via Valley Rd. to the Maplewood Loop. NJ TRANSIT buses are accessible: they kneel to lower the height of the first step and have lifts for riders who cannot use steps. Passengers must ask the driver to kneel the bus or use the lift. COACH USA requires 48-hour advance notice for any accessible service requests on the 31 bus. NJ TRANSIT s #107 Bus Trip to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City takes about one hour from South Orange. The #107 also goes to Newark Airport and Newark Beth Israel Hospital. Buses run frequently during rush hours and about once an hour at other times. Buses stop along Irvington Ave. (see page 8) Reduced Fare to New York is $2.95. Seniors are eligible for Reduced Fare, but must be prepared to show ID or Reduced Fare card. Tickets can be purchased at South Orange Rail Station or in Port Authority. Departure gates at Port Authority vary by time of day and are subject to change: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Gate 213 10:01 PM - 1:00 AM Gate 316 After 1:00 AM Gate 77 The #107 bus stops are indicated on page 8. NJ TRANSIT Bus Service to NYC For more information go to njtransit.com or call (973) 275-5555. Bus Map on page 8 shows local bus stops.
Page 15 Page 4 South Orange has two train stations: South Orange Rail Station near the town center and the smaller Mountain Station located to the north of the town center. Both are served by the Morris-Essex rail line with daily service into Hoboken and New York, but some trains do not stop at Mountain Station. South Orange Rail Station Time to/from NYC: 40 60 minutes One-way reduced fare to NYC: $3 NJ TRANSIT Rail Service to NYC Ticket Office Hours: 6:00AM - 2:00PM (Weekdays) Closed 10:40AM - 11:10AM (Lunch) Closed Saturdays and Sundays Bus Passes can be purchased here. Seniors may purchase reduced fare tickets on board the train at no extra charge. South Orange Station has elevators and mini high-level platforms for customers who cannot climb stairs. Mountain Station is not accessible. South Orange Tracks Track 1: Serves both eastbound and westbound trains. Track 2: Eastbound trains to Hoboken and New York Penn Station. Track 3: Westbound trains to Dover, Gladstone, and Morristown. NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare Program Individuals age 62 older can save at least 50% on NJ TRANSIT by using the Reduced Fare Program. To receive the reduced fare: Show the bus operator or train conductor an ID that is proof of your age (driver s license, Medicare card, etc.) and ask for the reduced fare. ; or Obtain a Reduced Fare ID Card by calling NJ TRANSIT at (973) 491-7112. What are Fare Zones? Your bus fare is determined by zones, which are the distances that you travel. Zones are shown on the bus schedules with a special line and notation so you know your fare in advance. The bus operator will tell you how much your fare is when boarding. NJ TRANSIT Local Bus Fares 1 Zone 2 Zones Transfer Full Fare $1.50 $2.35 $0.70 Reduced $0.70 $1.05 $0.35 Coach USA Local Bus Fares 1 Zone 2 Zones Transfer Full Fare $1.50 $2.30 $0.65 Reduced $0.75 $1.15 $0.30
Page 5 Page 14 Access Link NJ TRANSIT operates Access Link for customers with disabilities who cannot use the regular bus. Some seniors may be eligible for Access Link. Essex County Special Transportation Free transportation to doctors, hospitals and other medical appointments is available from Essex County Special Transportation. Access Link operates on the same days and hours as the regular bus and shadows the local bus routes. Access Link has special features: Small buses provide curb-to-curb service. Appointments for trips are made by the rider at least 24 hours in advance. Access Link can be used for any type of trip - medical, social, shopping, etc. Applying for Access Link Potential riders must have an in-person transportation assessment interview. To arrange an assessment appointment, call (800) 955-2321. A Certification Specialist will explain the assessment process and tell you what to bring to the interview. If you need transportation to the interview, Access Link will pick you up for a round-trip fare of $4.00. New riders must complete a Personal Identification Form by telephone prior to scheduling a ride. Individuals may apply if they are over 60 years of age or a person with a disability. Service to medical destinations within Essex County. Trip reservations must be made at least two days in advance. Riders are asked to be ready one hour before the pickup & drop-off times. This is a busy service, so passengers may have to be flexible about pick-up days and times. Call (973) 395-5858 between 9:00 AM and 4:00PM, Monday-Friday to reserve a trip. Call for information about scheduled trips to other destinations.
Page 13 Other Transportation Services Metro Transport Phone - (973) 325-1359 / (973) 400-3889 Operates Monday Friday, 9 AM 4 PM. Make reservations 7 days in advance. Service in Essex County and parts of Union and Morris Counties. Vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Fees are determined on a sliding scale based on monthly income. Transportation to medical destinations. Leave a message if no one is available. Medical appointments should be scheduled between 10 AM and 2 PM as the return trip must be taken before 4 PM. Local & Long Distance Taxi & Livery Service For your convenience, we are listing private taxis that serve South Orange. These for-profit companies are not connected with South Orange On the Go! Local Taxi Cabs South Orange Taxi Inc (973) 378-3939 Maplewood Taxi (973) 762-5700 Millburn Taxi (973) 467-3400 Long Distance Livery Service Car Service (973) 953-3105 A/Plus Car Service (973) 275-0001 Transit Tips Page 6 Plan your trip in advance using schedules, njtransit.com, mybus or customer service. Keep copies of the schedules for the buses and trains that you use. You can order schedules from NJ TRANSIT Customer Service by calling (973) 275-5555. You can look at schedules online at njtransit.com or coachusa.com Bring exact fare and extra change with you. Also bring any medications you may need during your trip, your ID Card, the address of your destination, and emergency phone numbers. Always get to the bus stop early. It is better to be 15 minutes early than 15 seconds late! Sit near the bus operator, if possible, so you can easily communicate, see the road ahead and hear any announcements. Keep aisles clear of bags or packages. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you plan to return. Never plan to take the last bus home.
Page 7 Bus Stop Guide & mybus Numbers The map on Page 8 shows the locations of the following bus stops. Bus Stop Location mybus # 1. Irvington Ave/Academy St (PNC Bank) 19328 2. S. Orange Ave/Prospect St. (Rite Aid) 19347 3. Irvington Ave/Prospect St 19329 4. Irvington Ave/Prospect St (Concord Apts) 19333 5. Irvington Ave/Tichenor Ave. (Opposite Getty) 19330 6. Irvington Ave/Riggs Pl. 19332 7. Valley St/1st St (Shelter by stairs) 19353 8. Valley St/1st St (Toro Loco) 19354 9. Scotland Rd/Ralston Ave (Oheb Shalom) 19334 10.Scotland Rd/Ralston Ave 19337 11.Sloan St/2nd St (Rail Station) 19338 Page 12 South Orange Senior Mini Bus Map Note: Coach USA bus stops are not part of the mybus system, but are included on the map as red circles. NJ TRANSIT mybus The mybus service tells customers when the next buses are scheduled to arrive at local bus stops. To Use mybus Call (973) 275-5555 or text the bus stop ID number to mybus at 69287. Mybus will then tell you when the next bus is scheduled to arrive at your stop. If texting, your phone provider may have an extra charge for a text message. For Train Information on your cell phone CooCoo for NJ TRANSIT Trains Text message your Origin and Destination train stations to CooCoo (266266) for schedule & fares. Example: South Orange to New York.
Page 11 South Orange Senior Mini Bus The South Orange Mini Bus is a town paratransit shuttle that provides service within the South Orange town limits from residents homes to destinations along a fixed route. Page 8 South Orange Bus Map Guidelines Serves South Orange seniors only. Service to South Orange shopping areas and key locations daily, Tuesdays through Fridays. The service is free of charge. Trips to nearby shopping malls are taken on two Mondays per month. Advanced reservations are required for the mall trips. If the schedule permits, the bus can deviate from the regular route for medical appointments within South Orange. To schedule a home pickup: Call (973) 378-7754 x 1. Call at 9:00 am for home pickup that day. Speak to a live person; do not leave a message. Map on next page shows the Mini Bus Stops. Updated schedules may be requested by phone at (973) 378-7754 x 1.
Page 9 Livingston Mall Bus Stops By Macy s there are 4 bus stops where all buses pick up and drop off passengers. Stop 1: NJT 70 to Newark/70 to Florham Park mybus ID: 31490 Stop 2: NJT 73 to Newark, Coach 31 to Newark mybus ID: 31489 Stop 3: NJT 872 & 873 to Morristown, C77 to NY & C31 to Newark mybus ID: 31488 Stop 4: Drop Off Only Page 10 JCC MetroWest Bus Stops From South Orange: Take the C31 bus to Livingston Mall and transfer to NJ Transit s 73 bus towards Newark: The JCC MetroWest is located at:: 760 Northfield Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052 The NJ Transit 73 serves the JCC at these stops: Westbound to Livingston Mall: mybus ID: 19517 Eastbound towards Newark: mybus ID: 19491