Good Samaritan, Bad DeCamp

GARY PARD TO COMMUTERS

DROP DEAD

So typical. DeCrap was actually a major reason behind my decision to decamp from corporate life and strike out on my own. Positively heartless.

one has to wonder, under the circumstances, what would it have "cost" decamp to say, "ordinarily we'd say no, but today is an extreme circumstance, so sure. of course you can pay now to get on."

I think experiences vary from driver to driver. I have had very helpful drivers in the past, one in particular held the bus while I ran back to my car to retrieve a forgotten ticket.

It seems to me though that the policies that the corporation chooses to set are both arbitrary and uneven. For the latest buses you have no choice but to purchase the ticket aboard the bus and pray that you have the exact change because the ticketing office have been closed.

DeCamp is a bipolar corporation. On one hand, you have letters taped up inside the buses touting its new web site and how they want to make it user-friendly and interactive to better serve riders. On the other hand, you continue to have stories like the one above. It almost sounds to me as if management is just not doing that good a job communicating with its own workforce.

Where are our federal, state and local officials on the issue of DeCamp? These are not isolated cases. We all have DeCamp horror stories. So why don't the people with power...our elected representatives...start REPRESENTING?! Investigate the bastards. Hold hearings. make Decamp answer for its behavior towards customers.

Why would DeCamp have to answer to anyone? While I totally hate the company, they are a private organization that is permitted to deliver service as poorly as they deem fit. While they set new lows all the time, our elected officials have no business poking their noses into it. The free market will take care of that.

Jerzee Giant - I became well know in the offices of both Pascrell and Lautenberg - and several mayors - for my efforts to make my commute more bearable. I finally just moved closer to the train. They were sympathetic FYI, just not much they could do.

Cheese,

How is the free market supposed to take care of them if DeCamp is viciously protecting their monopoly on our area?

Also, they receive a lot of grants and funding from the government, so there should be at least some accountability.

At the very least, they should face the threat of losing their monopoly so there can be some competition to allow for free market economics to take effect.

I caught Decamp this morning at 10am at the YMCA stop and asked if they would cross honor my NJ Transit pass. The driver said yes, but informed me that I would need to walk back home and catch a bus closer to the train station.

I have no idea why. So I just stayed home from work.

"Why would DeCamp have to answer to anyone?"

Normally, I agree with you on things, Cheese, but here I part ways. If a business is taking my hard-earned money and they are not delivering service, then they need to be held accountable.

DeCamp holds a state-granted monopoly on the route, so the quality of service is to some degree the state's business.

In a free market economy, the consumer has the final say. If you don't like DeCamp take another mode of transportation. I have never had a problem with DeCamp other than being yelled at by the driver for talking on my cellphone (rightly so).

ernast, that would be true except for the fact that many many people have NO other option. There are parts of Bloomfield that have no access to train station parking and even in Montclair the wait list for permits is long.

It not a free market, ernast. That's the point. DeCamp has a monopoly on the bus routes.

I got on the 5:45 today without a ticket. When I explained to the conductor that normally I would've bought a round trip ticket only this morning I had to take DeCrap on account of the trains weren't running, he waived the penalty. "Everything's screwed up today," he said. Though actually the train is not crowded at all. I'll bet they're packed like sardines over at DeCrap.

I found driving to Harrison, then using the PATH preferable to being verbally abused by a bus driver, even though the bus stops right outside. Take heed DeCamp

Decamp will be history quite soon i am sure with gas prices expected to be > $5. Lets face it the train, although not always on time, is a lot more 'user friendly' than Decamp will ever be. Who do these drivers think they are ? are they really doing us a favor collecting a pay check and driving a bus ?

There were also good stories about DeCamp: for instance, they brought on an extra bus to handle the overflow of the 1045pm PABT departure.

The devil's advocate in me notes that the teller of this sad story first admits that he/she dashed to the bus without first purchasing a ticket, but apparently knowing tickets were required.

Then he/she was told by the driver to "calm down" but also assures us he/she wasn't yelling. I'm reminded of cops who commonly tell agitated people to do exactly that when an incident occurs (via their fairly well-developed "cop sense," I think it's fair to say), despite their assurances to the cops that they're "perfectly calm."

There is also the offer of $10 for a bus ticket. Some might have understandably interpreted that as a yelp by a desperate, possibly even scary person. In such a case, the donation of a ticket by a kind (obviously) woman might plausibly be interpreted as a sop, a means of defusing a situation and, yes, "calming down" a theoretically publicly upset person. Thus as a means of shutting him/her up so the rest of the bus's complement could get the hell home as quickly as possible on a very trying day weatherwise for all concerned.

DeCamp is also a private, for-profit entity, and a logical assumption would then be that they have both no obligation and certainly no interest in cross-honoring a train pass. For which they'd have no reasonable expectation of reimbursement, after all.

So there is another possible version of this story. What is amazing is that so many posters automatically assume there is not, that virtue is imputed solely to the person of the Ancient Mariner-like passenger. What is completely predictable is that others use it as yet another excuse to pile on DeCamp here. In high school football, that always brought expulsion from practice and a penalty flag in a game.

And yes, walleroo, DeCamp's routes constitute a "monopoly" of sorts. But it is a monopoly that would likely have no other takers were DeCamp to leave the fold. They are the only game in town mainly because there are no other teams who want to play, I'm betting.

None of this is meant to constitute a brief for DeCamp, either. Still, even from the partisan recounting given above, it is very possible to see the incident as a scary one to both the bus driver and his passengers alike, and not remotely for the reasons the teller imagines. (Baristanet is, however, understandably welcome to any and all such tales of semi-entitlement, as is someone like jerseygurl.)

PS: I meant "welcoming," not "welcome" above.

Cathar - I am the "tipster" in the story above. I think it was a reasonable assumption the DeCamp might have been cross honoring NJT tickets last night, as there was absolutely no NJT service running from Penn Station. During times of service disruption, as happened this morning, DeCamp has honored NJT passes.

When I arrived at the gate, I politely asked the driver if DeCamp was cross honoring, and when told that was not the case, I very politely asked the driver if I could purchase a ticket. The driver told me it was not in his discretion to decide that, and told me to find a dispatcher. Another driver told me that was not true and approached the gate to talk to the bus driver. When he saw who the driver was on that bus, he then replied "I can't tell him what to do." When I found the dispatcher, as requested by the driver, he told me he couldn't make the decision, that the driver had the final say. There definitely did not seem like a solid chain of command, which was definitely a bit frustrating.

It is absolutely within DeCamp's discretion not to cross-honor. I never complained to anyone about that. I readily offered to pay for a ticket. NJT and other service providers waive surcharges or advance purchase regulations during times of service disruption. I readily admit it is within DeCamp's discretion to opt not to do this.

The $10 bill I offered up, was simply the smallest bill I had that would completely cover the fare. I did not expect to pay a discount rate to go home. As the driver had demanded exact change, I was simply forgoing any change that was owed to me. The extra $4 was simply not worth having to wait for a later bus that might not have come due to the inclement weather.

That being said, I do feel like the incident says a lot about the company and the level of service they provide. Some companies would view the events of last night as a chance to win over new customers and show how they were more reliable than NJT. I guess DeCamp is not that type of comany. Had DeCamp, in light of last night's unusual circumstances, simply allowed me to purchase a ticket on the bus, I would have walked away from the evening with a very positive opinion of the company and would be more likely to pay to take the bus again. Unfortunately, the very opposite happened, and I will likely avoid DeCamp at all costs in the future. There will be no tears she in my house the day they rightfully go under.

Cathar - I am the "tipster" in the story above. I think it was a reasonable assumption the DeCamp might have been cross honoring NJT tickets last night, as there was absolutely no NJT service running from Penn Station. During times of service disruption, as happened this morning, DeCamp has honored NJT passes.

When I arrived at the gate, I politely asked the driver if DeCamp was cross honoring, and when told that was not the case, I very politely asked the driver if I could purchase a ticket. The driver told me it was not in his discretion to decide that, and told me to find a dispatcher. Another driver told me that was not true and approached the gate to talk to the bus driver. When he saw who the driver was on that bus, he then replied "I can't tell him what to do." When I found the dispatcher, as requested by the driver, he told me he couldn't make the decision, that the driver had the final say. There definitely did not seem like a solid chain of command, which was definitely a bit frustrating.

It is absolutely within DeCamp's discretion not to cross-honor. I never complained to anyone about that. I readily offered to pay for a ticket. NJT and other service providers waive surcharges or advance purchase regulations during times of service disruption. I readily admit it is within DeCamp's discretion to opt not to do this.

The $10 bill I offered up, was simply the smallest bill I had that would completely cover the fare. I did not expect to pay a discount rate to go home. As the driver had demanded exact change, I was simply forgoing any change that was owed to me. The extra $4 was simply not worth having to wait for a later bus that might not have come due to the inclement weather.

That being said, I do feel like the incident says a lot about the company and the level of service they provide. Some companies would view the events of last night as a chance to win over new customers and show how they were more reliable than NJT. I guess DeCamp is not that type of comany. Had DeCamp, in light of last night's unusual circumstances, simply allowed me to purchase a ticket on the bus, I would have walked away from the evening with a very positive opinion of the company and would be more likely to pay to take the bus again. Unfortunately, the very opposite happened, and I will likely avoid DeCamp at all costs in the future. There will be no tears shed in my house the day they rightfully go under.

Yes, it's unlikely that any substitute for DeCrap... oops, sorry, DeCamp... would be any better. And their absence would be all the worse for ceding even more of a monopoly to the train than it already has. So be careful, DeCrap haters, what you wish for. Send not to know for whom the bell tolls.

But you're wrong, gmusser. There are no good DeCamp stories.

Walleroo - I can't imagine that NJT could do any worse. In any event if they assumed the route, they would be cheaper, so at least you wouldn't feel as bad when you got the rotten service.

DeCamps monopoly on New York City bus service is a crock of shiite. We need direct NJT bus service to NYC!

I took Decamp this morning to the city. The driver was extremely friendly and happy even though the bus was SRO and there were lots of grumpy riders aboard. The driver stopped twice for people who were late, not at the bus stops and running for the bus. When the bus reached capacity, rather than blow by people who were waiting at the stops, he stopped to explain that the bus was full and that he could not take any more passengers (in the process taking abuse from some of the people who could not get on the bus, as if it was the driver's fault that the bus was full.)

This evening I took the 6:40 back to Mtc. Half full, well air conditioned, 30 minutes from PA to Mtc. I will take a smooth 30 minute ride home on Decamp over the 50+ minute ride on NJT any time.

Whenever I have found myself in line for the bus without a ticket, it has been easy to buy one off of another passenger. In this case it seems like NJ Gator was late to the bus - not exactly DeCamp's problem there. But as most of the entitled class around here believe, the rules should be bent and changed when it suits them. Next time, buy a couple bus tickets, and stick them in your wallet so that you have them for emergency situations.

Spicoli - Yes, I was "running late for the bus", but it was a bus that I never planned on taking. I was in Penn early for the 9:45 PM train (ticket in hand), but had to make a mad dash for the Port Authority once the service suspension was announced at Penn.

I guess that's the difference between NJT and DeCamp. On NJT if you are running late for the train/bus, you may buy your ticket on board and pay a penalty fare for not having purchased your ticket in advance (which of course will be waived during service disruptions or other unusual situations). DeCamp will just leave you at the curb.

Apologies if that makes me a member of the entitled class.

It is, of course, DeCamp's prerogative to run their business any way they see fit. I just find theirs an odd customer service model for a company that desperately needs to attract additional ridership in order to stay in business.

As a fare paying customer, with other options to choose from, it is also my prerogative to take my money elsewhere.

"The devil's advocate in me notes that the teller of this sad story first admits that he/she dashed to the bus without first purchasing a ticket, but apparently knowing tickets were required."

A ticket may be required, but, I've made the mad dash to the Decamp ticket counter to buy a ticket for the last bus home to find it closed before last departure. The worst bit was the driver wouldn't believe the ticket window was closed and told me to go back downstairs to buy a ticket and pulled out without me. $120 cab ride later...

"Next time, buy a couple bus tickets, and stick them in your wallet so that you have them for emergency situations.

Posted by Spicoli | June 11, 2008 11:28 PM "

Yeah right. Buy them and have them "expire" on you!

Saying "DeCamp" on Baristanet is like Emeril saying "Gahhlik" in front of his audience: it really brings a reaction.

transplanted:...."told me to go back downstairs to buy a ticket and pulled out without me. $120 cab ride later..."

Sorry, "transplanted" but anyone who pays $120 for a cab from the Port Authority to Montclair is getting royally hosed.

I used to cab it back from the City all the time after 9:00 pm or so. Just negotiate the price upfront..it's nice a quick trip for the cabbies at that hour.

Wow...missed a lot yesterday. I stand by my original comments that unless is getting subsidized by taxpayer money our legislators have no business questioning their service model (Crappy though it may be). With NJT buses and trains it certainly doesn't feel like a monopoly though it can be more convenient for some to take the buse due to the distance to the nearest NJT train or bus. If you are a DeCamp user and complaining about the service then you are merely perpetuating the problem. Tak your business elsewhere even if it is less convenient.

Cheese,
I completely agree. There are other options. It is NOT a monopoly. Spend your money wisely as that is the ultimate vote and comment you can communicate. Bashing DeCamp here does NOTHING to the service you are complaining about.

Wow. Once again, people with enough time on their hands ro rail about DeCamp. At 11pm. Over 30 postings. Meanwhile, we're getting a brand new Town Council, HS parties result in stabbings, and other (maybe) important local events are happening. I've been on the #66 for over ten years. Never a problem with drivers. Passengers, especially those inconvenienced by the storm results, were uniformly sullen and pushy on Wednesday morning. "How dare DeCamp tell me I can't use my cell"? "What do you mean I can't pay cash?" No one is talking about how the drivers skirted the snarls on Rte. 3 this past Monday. A "please", "thank you" or "have a nice day' are not imossible, are they?

Mommy - if you buy single ride tickets, they are good for 1 year.

I don't like buses, and have had a few rude-itays with the staff, but yesterday DeCamp rocked. C'mon, they added buses, accepted NJ Transit monthly passes & got us where we were going. I will agree there is no ethos of customer service apparent from corporate management, but they were very good citizens yesterday. My driver, as an example, rode a few would-be passengers down to the next intersection where they had some hope of boarding as standees.

I for one would mourn the loss of DeCamp (or even DeCrap!). But I disagree with you here, Cheese. DeCamp doesn't have a complete monopoly on service to the city for everybody. But for many people there are significant obstacles to alternative transport (difficulty of getting parking permits for train stations, for instance.) If this were a true free market situation, the government wouldn't have to grant a license to only one bus carrier. DeCamp does get a subsidy, in the form of a license to operate its routes free from direct competition. Surely this has some monetary value.

Walleroo, I doubt very much that anybody else wants DeCamp's routes. New Jersey's privately-owned bus lines show virtually hnothing but steady retrenchment over the last 20 years. (Lakeland is an excellent case in point.)

Anyway, weren't you the marsupial who wisely cautioned DeCamp's critics, some postsd ago, to be careful what they wished for? The real money for bus lines is always in charter work. Academy, for example, does much better supplying buses for Columbia's athletics teams than it does with its commuter lines in Monmouth County.

Of course the passenger didn't buy the ticket at the counter as everyone knows is the way to do business. There were 4 more buses leaving after that hour, and waiting for the next bus would have meant the end of the world for this entitled patron. Blame the bus company? Odd that Decamp was still running when NJ Transit and PATH were both down.

Padre - there were no more 33 Grove buses running after that hour, and the weather reports I was getting from my husband made the long walk walk from Park Street late at night sound a bit treacherous.

Also, it is quite possible for someone who has not taken DeCamp before to not be aware of the ticket policy. NJT allows for purchase of a ticket on board the train or bus.

In any event, for those of you who think you do not have train options due to lack of a parking permit, there is all day meter parking available across the street from the Bloomfield station for $3/day. If you factor in the price difference between the train and bus for a monthly pass, it is probably a break even proposition.

The fuss over whether or not one should be aware of ticket nuances and thus be prepared reminds of of the "hanging chad" issue with ballots in Florida. I asked my friend Joe how his elderly parents in Miami mange the reportedly confusing forms. He said, "what, are you kidding? they play bingo with a dozen cards ! This is nothing!" Same goes here: people that are so sophisticated about personal technology (phones, blackberry, IM, etc), or know just which wine to order, seem to have a blindspot about something as simple as commuting options.