DeCamp Lawsuit Gets Dumped

I find it incredible as well. So DeCamp, which constantly cries poor, just spend untold thousands on a silly lawsuit, money which could have been poured back into the company to improve service, buses, etc. Unreal.

News Flash: If you want to lure riders, offer better service, retire the older buses to the junkyard, replace the current management, and update your web site.

and if I may add one suggestion: encourage your drivers and supervisors to lose their bullying and abusive attitude toward riders. Twice in the past week I have observed drivers exhibiting behavior that would not be out of place on an elementary school playground: abuse of authority, condescending tone of voice, inappropriate and rude language.

Note to DeCamp: many of us have choices about how we commute, and I make every effort to avoid DeCamp and their nasty (not all, but most) employees.

Dirty buses,Never on time.abusive drivers. Time to boycott. Lets send them a message!

Now I have heard everything. What a riot. DeCamp is blaming NJ Transit for their loss of ridership. HOLY CRAP.

I have been riding DeCamp for the past 6 years. The service they provide could not be worse. I have no idea how they get away with it. Who appointed them the exclusive territory of Montclair, Bloomfield, etc. I have the benefit of 2 bus lines, the 88 and the 33. Unfortunately, they are both with DeCamp. You would think that at least one of them would show up. You can wait up to an hour for a bus and when they finally do show up there are not seats. BIG SURPRISE. The alternative is that 4 will show up together. I think there might be a bus driver lounge somewhere between the depot and my stop.

How can we get NJ Transit to come through these areas. We might have to listen to cell phone chatter but at least we would have a ride. (For half the cost).

There has to be a way to get rid of them once and for all. I can't take it anymore. By the time I get to work I'm ready to kill someone.

Can we take DeCamp to court for sucking?

Maybe Decamp will go retro and bring back the Stage Coach service. They are pretty much near that right now, 'cause on any given day, you have no clue when you are going to get to work. The ruling yesterday was pretty much a death blow to DeCamp. They will appeal, but that will probably get thrown out like a guy trying to score from first on a single...

Haven't you all forgotten something? Are we mice or Montclarions? Obviously to cure this social ill, we just need a law. A new tax applied to...

(let's see who don't we like these days?)

Ah! I've got it, the new residents of Cristopher Court. We'll tax them and give the money to DeCamp and pass a law that DeCamp has to have good service.

Done.

(you've all, obviously, forgotten your heritage)

Why don't DeCamp riders start capturing some of the drivers' antics/attitudes on video (cell phones) and start posting this stuff on line?!? Some seriously bad PR is often the catalyst for change...

i can see de camp's issue: NJ Transit is subsidized, allowing them to potentially charge less than is economically practical. De Camp's poor service and pissy bus drivers aside, they must charge a fare that keeps them in business.

"Some seriously bad PR is often the catalyst for change..."

True, but in this case, I can't imagine their PR getting too much worse.

I notice that whenever Port Authority has that bus expo day (where the different bus companies set up tables, pass out literature and answer concerns and questions), DeCamp NEVER participates. That should tell you something right there. They just don't shiv a git.

I caught the last bus on Friday - the 12:45. We were running to get to the bus and I got on at 12:43 and purchased 3 tickets and told the bus driver - I just needed to yell out to my 2 friends who were still inside the building area and he said - "we are leaving NOW" - eventhough there were 3 people behind me waiting to board, I had to plead with him and say "they are right outside, and you have 3 other ppl to board." It wasn't like they were outside of port authority or down stairs, they were told to go to 401 instead of the one I was at.....oh well. so nice to see happy drivers!

Jeeze. Reading all these comments, I'm glad I have a choice between NJT and DeCamp (I'm in the hinterlands--W. Caldwell). Even after the NJT fare hike hits, a monthly pass from Willowbrook will still be a hell of a lot cheaper than one with DeCamp...*and* the buses leave every five minutes in the morning, the ride is shorter, and the drivers are nice. Not once have I seen a driver behaving badly. I don't think I ever want to have to take my chances with the 33!

Amazing. I ride the #66 every day. Never had the trouble that people are voicing here. I find the drivers as thoughtful as they can be, given the circumstances. If there is alot of traffic on Rte 3, for instance, they wil find ways around it. Does anyone think to thank the driver for the effort? No. I'm sure that riders on NJT can complain just as much about the trains. Loss of DeCamp leaves us to the vagaries of NJT. Ironically, the same people who grouse about their state and local taxes see no dichotomy is arguing for state-supported NJT.

Yeah, I don't like the fact that DeCamp has a monopoly on some of the routes through the Caldwells, Verona, Montclair, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield. Some people, like the poster above, have a choice, but many do not.

How did that come about?

Technically, I could take the #29 NJT bus to Newark and hop on a PATH train. A bit inconvenient but am willing to do it if it will make a dent.

Didn't you love it the day the trains weren't running and DeCamp hung us out to dry. They are suing NJT for their problems and yet honoring their tickets when the train couldn't run. WHAT IS THAT? I waited 2.5 hours for a bus that day and paid for the ride. NJT riders...FREE

"Ironically, the same people who grouse about their state and local taxes see no dichotomy is arguing for state-supported NJT."

To me, this is precisely the type of thing that the state(s) SHOULD be doing, instead of sticking their noses into people's private lives, bedrooms, etc. An efficiently-run, clean, dependable transit system is not a bad thing.

Anonymous is clearly G. Pard of DeCamp.

Actaully DeCamp does cater to the Rt. 66 riders for fear they too will take the train instead.

Many times I will be waiting for a 33 or 88 to go home and that bus will be pulled so the 66 riders shouldn't have to wait.

"To me, this is precisely the type of thing that the state(s) SHOULD be doing, instead of sticking their noses into people's private lives, bedrooms, etc. An efficiently-run, clean, dependable transit system is not a bad thing."

Neither is socialized medicine MM, unless, well, you want to survive cancer.

Apples and oranges, ROC. We're not talking about curing cancer here. We're talking about getting people to work on time.

And also, whether government or provate industry does a better job at either.

No way is that Pard. If you've ever read his memos, there is not that depth of vocabulary in there.

Some of my favorite DeCamp moments:
1. Cold, winter day when I was reading something and the driver didn't stop, I had to run after the bus and finally he stopped and then told me "how am I supposed to know you are not just reading on the corner?"
Um, I don't know. Let's see, maybe because I am standing out here every day at 6:55 a.m. and you pick me up - why would today be any different!

2. On a 33 Grove return trip one day 2 days before Christmas (commuters get it - weeks of happy shopping people shoving FAO Schwarz bags in your face and yapping away the whole commute) a man and his daughter boarded the bus. She was about 3 years old. She started screeching and screaming incessantly almost immediatley. She did not stop. The father pretended to not hear her. The passengers started out making rude commnets, and eventually started shouting at him telling him to shut her up. He seriously sat there and never bothered to try. She just screamed and screeched. Finally a giant yelling match broke out - half the bus was pro screeching child and the other half cried "get her off the bus."
The DeCamp driver pulled over along Grove Street and asked them to leave the bus.

I could have kissed him for that. Life lesson learned: Now I make it a point to travel with a roll of duct tape just in case...

"I could have kissed him for that."

Making a three year old get off the bus mid-trip, in the dead of winter?

Man, if that ain't the perfect example of Montclair "values"...

that's exactly what i would expect out of montclair. everyone for themselves. make the kid get off. classic. the sense of entitlement in montclair is stifling.

No, "Annie's Mom", I am not Gary Pard. Just someone interested in seeing all opinions heard. But, since you started making assumptions, I'll assume that, by your very sign-on name, that you are one of those self-important Montclair moms who insist on using her cellphone to call- from the bus - "the caregiver" about soccer/lacrosse/dance/piano or whatever else your spawn absolutely has to be at. And we could care less about. But that will take umbrage if anyone looks cross-eyed at you. how you like them apples?

No, "Annie's Mom", I am not Gary Pard. Just someone interested in seeing all opinions heard. But, since you started making assumptions, I'll assume that, by your very sign-on name, that you are one of those self-important Montclair moms who insist on using her cellphone to call- from the bus - "the caregiver" about soccer/lacrosse/dance/piano or whatever else your spawn absolutely has to be at. And we could care less about. But that will take umbrage if anyone looks cross-eyed at you. how you like them apples?

Anonymous -

I find it surprising that you have never observed rude behavior on the bus. Are you sure you’re not a Decamp employee?

And, contrary to your generalizations: 1) I thank the driver every time I ride. Even the bullies. 2) I have never been threatened or harassed by a NJT train conductor. Ever. I take the train almost every day and the staff there are exceedingly courteous. They apologize when there are delays. They make the ride a pleasure. I may take the Decamp infrequently, but nearly every time I do I see the drivers and supervisors acting like thugs.

Hey, DeCamp, nice failure to state a valid claim!

Sometimes kids cry, it's not her fault she got stuck on a crowded bus. I imagine she was just scared. If you must, blame the dad for not helping his kid calm down. The fact that the driver made them get off the bus is reprehensible.

I too say thank you whenever I get off the bus, even if the bus almost flips over from taking a sharp turn! ha. I remember one time when all of the flooding cause us train riders to seek alternative methods of transportation, the morning - no problem they took my train pass, on the way home, I board the bus and he says, we dont take those, I said you did this morning and the trains are canceled, he says, "they didn't tell me that", so I get off, speak to the lady out front and she gets back on the bus and says to honor passes, meanwhile there were others in front of me that unfortunately had to pay. As I took my seat, ppl were lining down the aisle and everyone was crammed in like sardines and this lady kept on saying " can you guys move back please, make some room". Finally this guy yelled, out, "there is no more room, some of us are fat!"

Wrong on all counts Anonymous. Again,not a big surprise. The only thing my name suggests is that I have a daughter named Annie. Do you even take the bus. If I was a Montclair Mom I'd be on the 66. Hey Montclair Mom's, apparetnly Anonymous has a problem with you.

Wrong on all counts Anonymous. Again,not a big surprise. The only thing my name suggests is that I have a daughter named Annie. Do you even take the bus. If I was a Montclair Mom I'd be on the 66. Hey Montclair Mom's, apparently Anonymous has a problem with you.

"And also, whether government or prvate industry does a better job at either."

Well, from where I stand (waiting for a bus that may or may not come), doesn't look like private industry is doing that great a job in this case.

Wrong on all counts Anonymous. Again,not a big surprise. The only thing my name suggests is that I have a daughter named Annie. Do you even take the bus. If I was a Montclair Mom I'd be on the 66 not the 33 or 88. Pay attention moron. Hey Montclair Mom's, apparently Anonymous has a problem with you. Perhaps he's a Montclair Dad recenty dumped for being GIANT A#$Hole.

The only time I've ever used the phone on the bus is to call my boss to tell him I will be late yet again.

GUYS - I'm dead serious.

Let's pick a day.

Travel via anything BUT DeCamp. Carpool, drive to the FREE commuter parking in Clifton Commons, take the train, call in sick :)

A few of us can call the local papers and stations and get some momentum on our side.

SEND A MESSAGE. DeCamp unfortunately does not read this blog, nor would care if they did.

Let's DO IT!

Pick a day

"DeCamp unfortunately does not read this blog."

I was not aware that they COULD read. Anyway, I am in. Say da woid.

"Well, from where I stand (waiting for a bus that may or may not come), doesn't look like private industry is doing that great a job in this case." Perhaps a little harder when they are up against state-subsidized "competition".

I'm not defending DeCamp. I wish them nothing but Ill, but this isn't exactly a "free market" situation.

I could have kissed him for that. Life lesson learned: Now I make it a point to travel with a roll of duct tape just in case...

Grow up. At least the three year old has an excuse for acting like a three year old. The driver should have let the kid ride and kicked the winers and complainers off.

..."but this isn't exactly a 'free market' situation."

Well, maybe it should be. there SHOULD be competition, that's the American way. Why should one bus company, and a bad one at that, have a monopoly on certain areas?

My brother in Oregon said that privately-owned bus companies are a thing of the past in most of the Pacific Northwest. Hence, they have better service as a result.

"My brother in Oregon said that privately-owned bus companies are a thing of the past in most of the Pacific Northwest. Hence, they have better service as a result."

We can only hope the situation becomes more Amtrak-like, eh?

Wow. Lots of pent up anger here. I use both the train (going into NYC in the AM) and Decamp (coming home in the PM). Maybe I'm just lucky, but in the last 1 1/2 years of my commute, Decamp hasn't been that bad. (No, I am not a Decamp employee, just an average commuter). Lately, 9 times out of 10 the 7:40am-ish train from Montclair to Penn Station is late by about 10 minutes, taking a total of 55 minutes to 1 hour to get me from UpMtc to NYC. While NJT always "apoligizes for the delay and any inconvenience it has caused", that doesn't get me to work any faster.

I generally take the 66 bus home at about 7pm. When you factor in weather and traffic delays that are NOT Decamp's fault, the buses from NYC to Montclair are generally on time and take an average of 35 minutes to get me from Port Authority to UpMtc Plaza. I agree that there are some Decamp employees that are less than friendly (the 2 who coordinate the buses out of PA in the evening are generally grumpy and provide no info when there are delays) most of the drivers that I encounter are somewhat friendly. Besides, when it comes to the drivers, I'm not looking for a drinking buddy, just someone to get me from point A to point B in one piece.

It seems like most of the complaints against Decamp are from the people who ride in to NYC in the morning. Maybe the commute back home is more dependable and thus less problematic for both drivers and passengers. Just a thought.

Getting home is much easier than getting in, however, if you are riding the 66, it's even easier. DeCamp caters to Montclair because they know that Montclair has an alternative service. They pull the 5:25 88 almost daily. If the 66 doesn't show up they get our 88. We can wait for the next one or the one after that. DeCamp knows that they have a captive audience with 88 and 33 riders.

True, getting home is a little bit better, not sure why. My big beef is that if a driver calls in sick (usually on a Friday--no surprise there), Pard will not replace that driver. So if you're standing out in the rain, the snow, the 100-degree heat, whatever, waiting for the 7:10 AM, you will not see a bus until 7:40!
That is inexcusable.

How about June 6, in honor of the #66?

If yes, then I'll upload a petition and post it here in Comments.

Anyone want to tackle press? Barista gals?

Remember, in order to make a statement, we have to:
1) get a heck of a lot of signatures and comments on the petition
2) NOT TAKE DECAMP ON THE ASSIGNED DAY

Let me know, guys. I'll assume if 10 people answer in the affirmative, it's enough to confirm that date.

Works for me.

Is there any chance we could do the 7th. If not, I'm in for the 6th. I will tell everyone on every bus I ride and email everyone I know who takes other routes.

The 8th is best for me, unless I have a meeting on the 8th, and then I won't know until the 7th, so i'll need a little flexibility.

nj transit is subsidized. they get money from somewhere else to help them keep their fares down. deCamp does not, so they charge more. it seems to me that if you boycott a struggling private bus company (that is competing with an unfairly subsidized competitor), that you will eventually put that private company out of business. Then you will all have to take NJ transit.

Whatever you guys decide.

Uh, that's kinda the goal, ER. They are struggling because of their own actions, not because they don't have enough people who need to get into Manhattan.

What are we demanding in our DeCamp riders bill of rights?

If it's to complain about unfriendly drivers than let's not forget some drivers are actually friendly. A rare example is Sal. At the other end of the spectrum there is a great big driver with a moustache who will never acknowledge your thank you no matter how many times you say it.

I think we should kidnap Gary Pard and force him to take one of his own buses during rush hour.

you don't get it miss marta. they can't compete with another business that is subsidized. besides, if you hate the bus so much, why don't you just take the train?

We want buses that show up on time. I don't even care if the drivers are nasty as long as the bus comes every 10 minutes like the schedule says. Not once every 45 minutes with no seats.

Oh, you know what would be really great. If the drivers could count. You have to ask if there are any seats and they tell you yes. You get on and there are no seats. When you want to get off they tell you no, I already punched your ticket.

I would love to take the train but that means I would need to get a ride to the station every day. When I lived in Montclair, I always took the train and it was a very pleasant experience.

Here's what I've come up with (assuming we agree on a date) If there are any issues missing, one could always vent in the petition's 'comments' section:

We, the hard-working citizens of Essex County, believe that DeCamp Bus Company is negligent in providing basic elements which are key to a safe, clean and enjoyable commuting experience.

In protest, we have declared (DATE TK) “DeCamp Free Day.”

We believe that DeCamp Bus Service has failed to provide:
- On-time and Reliable service
- Basic Customer Service Options
- Polite Staff and Bus Drivers
- Monthly Commuter Plans
- A Clean and Safe Bus Ride
- As well as other issues in the comments section of this petition.

We ask that DeCamp Bus Service respond in kind with a positive action towards their customers. Even a small change in attitude would be welcomed throughout the community.

If you agree to the above, please sign and comment where appropriate.

oh wait - we're not all Essex County, are we?

"We, the disgruntled passengers of Routes 33 and 66"?

perfect

Looks good to me.

Maybe we should get T-shirts made up: "Not a Happy DeCamper."

I feel the need to re-tune my guitar...

"If you want to end war and stuff you got to sing loud."

"He's a drugstore, bus-driving man..."

Okay - I am sure train riders are also reading this, and I wasn't sure where to ask this question regarding "Public Transportation Etiquette"
I cannot stand bubble gum popping. I am a gum chewer and I do pop, but when I am alone or walking...if you hated this annoying sound in a quiet place, is it appropriate to say something, or just sit there and bear it or move?>??

Here you go. Petition completed.

http://www.petitiononline.com/DeCamp/petition.html

I'll send to the Barista staff as well.

Three steps to make this work:
SIGN IT
PASS IT ON
DON'T RIDE DECAMP ON JUNE 7TH

There was no crying going on, just screaming and screeching and more high pitched screechy screams for the ENTIRE trip.

Great to think one misbehaved, overindulged, whiney child should trump an entire bus of people.

Hopefully her tongue got frost bite when they kicked her annoying ass off rendering her screechless.

Hey

I signed the petition and will not be on the bus on the 7th. I think this applies to all DeCamp Bus Routes it is not limited to 33 and 66.

Decamp is certainly going to receive a strong message. A passenger strike, which from my count, will cost Decamp approximately 4 riders sometime between June 6th and 8th, and a petition! Viva la resistance! Power to the people! Stick it to the man!

...Baristaville is filled with loonies.

Dude, you call yourself Spicoli. Put the bong down and get a job.

The wonderful part of America is that you can speak your mind and make a difference.

I'm thrilled you were passionate enough to post, Spicoli, and respect your opinion.

If you'd like to channel that energy towards making a statement, we'd be happy to have you.

and, petitions work!

Look at Darfur!

someone should send this link to commuter josh's listserv... guarantee you'll get some signers...

And also, whether government or provate industry does a better job at either.

Posted by ROC | May 15, 2007 11:53 AM

We can only hope the situation becomes more Amtrak-like, eh?

Posted by ROC | May 15, 2007 1:13 PM

-----------------------------------------------------------

Is this the real ROC and not just a fantasy? It's beginning to sound that way!

If so, let's also take a look at how level the playing field is & what can be done to flatten it.

Considering how that government has a long history of subsidizing auto travel & the trucking industry, & a penchant for bailing out airlines when they get in trouble, I'd say it's high time Amtrak got a bigger piece of the federal pie.

Alternatively, let's get government out of the road business altogether & let private industry figure out how to make us all pay for road building & maintenance every time we hop in the car.

Welcome back!

Well ladies and gentlemen i see the ball is rolling. I have only one more suggestion.That we find a way to get our message beyond baristanet. Any ideas ?

I sent the petition to clever commute, hopefully they'll share it. (didn't want to be obnoxious and just post it myself) And I sent it to Montclair Water Cooler. I'll post it on my blog as well, in case there are some commuters in the group.

I'd love for everyone to at least send it to one person...

Anyone have friends in the media? Any bloggers out there wanna post it?

You know, if one person strikes the bus, just one person does it they may think he's really sick and
they won't let him on the bus anymore. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony,
they may think they're both and they won't let either one of them on the bus.

And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people signin the petition and striking the bus. They may think it's an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day, I said
fifty people a day signin the petition and strikin the bus. And friends they may think it's a movement.

And that's what it is , the Decamp Bus Lines Anti-Massacre Movement, and all you got to do to join is sing it the next time it come's around on the
guitar.

Very interesting-

Here is my idea to spread the word. Get a nice big piece of sidewalk chalk. At every bus stop, where you embark/disembark write this message in the pavement:

DeCamp Commuter Strike
06/07/07
www.petitiononline.com/DeCamp/petition.html for more details

If it rains, then write it again

shitalker

I will do that. And right next to it I,ll write shitalker for mayor of bloomfield. I might as well get you off at ground level

Yup - I shared the news of the petition and the boycott with the Montclair-area bus and train commuters. So, about 160 Decamp riders got the word (as well as 300+ train people)