Ridgewood April 22, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Council rescheduling NJ Transit bus service by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council is rearranging the route and schedule of the commuter/senior bus service provided by New Jersey Transit in response to criticism from some of the neighbors and other residents about scheduling and noise. A new and more convenient schedule was being revised at press time, but council members hope to have the smaller jitney bus and a morning-afternoon commuter schedule on-line by this week. “This is a work in progress. Things change,” Councilwoman Anne Zusy told the residents who attended last week’s public meeting to continue a spate of protests sent by e-mail. “We have decided that we are going to get a jitney bus that seats 10 people and has space for the handicapped.” “The bus was too big. It didn’t have the ridership on it. It was too big and too loud,” Mayor David Pfund said, echoing complaints he had heard. Pfund said, and senior citizens at the meeting concurred, that the concept of providing a free bus to take senior citizens from the Ridgecrest senior housing project was accepted and approved, even if the commuter aspect of the bus came under criticism. The busing, which started April 1, ran morning and afternoon excursions around the Hillcrest area of Ridgewood to bring commuters to the train station, then took seniors on shopping trips. The seniors liked the bus, but critics said that the commuter bus was virtually empty and disrupted sleep and traffic. Kevin O’Brien, president of the board of trustees at Ridgecrest, said Ridgecrest has 142 residents, including 84 who do not have cars and 27 who are handicapped. They liked the bus, at least in concept, he reported. “I really appreciate the service you’re providing,” he said. Kent Brady, another resident, agreed that the bus was a good thing for seniors, but said that, at present, the value and popularity of the commuter service was questionable. He suggested the commuter service be dropped and the bus be used for senior citizens who liked and needed it during (continued on page 20) CLEANERS “The Store Where Professional Dry Cleaning Costs Less” SAME DAY SERVICE : In by 10am - Out by 5pm FREE PICK-UP and DELIVERY 20% OFF ALL DRY CLEANING Dutch Girl Cleaners 80 Godwin Ave, Midland Park • 201-652-9852 With coupon, present when items are brought in. Excludes fur, leather, suede, wedding gowns, beaded garments & household items. 20% OFF ALL DRY CLEANING Dutch Girl Cleaners 80 Godwin Ave, Midland Park • 201-652-9852 With coupon, present when items are brought in. Excludes fur, leather, suede, wedding gowns, beaded garments & household items. • Formal Wear Specialists • Distinctive Dry Cleaning • Shirts • Leather & Suede • Drapes • Ask about our Winter & Summer Storage Open Monday - Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm 80 Godwin Ave, Midland Park • 201-652-9852 (Next to Peter’s Fish Market) 1ST ANNUAL SPRING GALA PERFORMANCE Saturday May 30th, 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM At Berrie Center for the Arts, Ramapo College. ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������