June - July 2002 Edition 

Bus Shuttle By Chris Neidenberg Opposition from neighbors near Memorial Park killed plans for a New Jersey Transit (NJT) bus park and ride in the Memorial Pool parking lot, Borough Manager Barbara Sacks recently reported. At a Borough Council work session, Sacks announced that she wants to implement an alternate commuter plan by the Fall as a result. In unveiling the plan, Sacks said Fair Lawn has officially acquired a free jitney bus from NJ Transit. Sacks said the bus will take train and bus riders, on weekdays, to and from a parking lot next to public tennis courts off Route 208. The lot is behind the Brunswick Fair Lawn Lanes. The manager explained that the new bus and lot will serve commuters coming from or heading toward the Radburn Train Station and Saddle River Road commuter parking lot. Commuters heading toward the Saddle River lot can then take New York-bound NJ Transit buses (including the 164) to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Those heading to the station can take NJ Transit trains to Hoboken. There, they can then either take ferries or the PATH trains.  "The bus is ready," said Sacks, who must now develop a schedule. "The new routes will not include Memorial School as a prospective bus stop because residents in the Memorial Park area didn't want commuters driving on those residential streets." Sacks said tennis players use the Route 208 lot much more intensely on the weekends than weekdays when the plan will be in effect. "The lot is newly paved and easy to get to," the manager pointed out. The joint borough/NJ Transit arrangement provides for a cost-sharing mechanism. It also includes an immediate escape clause if Fair Lawn determines that the service is unprofitable. Sacks projected running the bus will cost the municipality about $21,000 during the first year (which could be offset via revenues). Mayor Ganz seemed confident that the revenues will definitely offset costs. "By the second year, we should be collecting enough revenue where we won't have a budget item," he said. Note:  Mr. Neidenberg is a talented local writer looking for a job.  If you have a job tip for him, send an e- mail to cn07055@aol.com