Toll Of Commuting: Highway bus stops in New Jersey raise safety concerns for riders
These stops are among the most unusual in the state, located on highway shoulders, entrance ramps, and narrow concrete islands.
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Commuters across New Jersey are complaining they have to stand inches from traffic to catch a bus.
Some call them the state's bravest riders, standing on a sliver of pavement between speeding cars to pick up a bus on the side of the highway.
"It's just after 6:40 a.m., and the cars are going right by, they're going 60 to 70 miles an hour," said Margaret Mantz, who has used the stop along Route 3 outside Clifton Commons for five years. "One wrong turn, and an accident can happen right."
Mantz says the stop is convenient but wishes it had more protection. "It's convenient, very convenient actually, I just wish that the enclosure they have was a little bit more secure," she said.
Other commuters say the ride is quick if you catch the bus before sunrise. "It's busy, you get a seat though, and NJ Transit is very consistent. They run like clockwork," said Ed Rivera.
"My coworkers think I'm crazy for doing it, but it's reliable," said Lisa Dantono. "There are a lot of buses passing in the morning, and they always stop for me. It's the only way to go."
These stops are among the most unusual in the state, located on highway shoulders, entrance ramps, and narrow concrete islands. "The one down there is better because it has like a little house that you can protect yourself in," said Katya Alcade. "This one if you have a little one when it's raining when it's cold but I mean it's been here for a while."
NJ Transit says municipalities can request shelters at no cost. "It makes sense you get right on the highway," said Jon, another commuter. "It allows them to have express buses, and they're in central locations. I wish they were just more evenly divided up among some of the towns."
For these riders, the toll of commuting isn't just time and money—it's standing inches from traffic and hoping every driver stays in their lane.
