When the going gets tough, the not-so-tough stand up their husbands and retreat to bed with an electric space heater. At least that’s what I did (sorry, honey) after waiting in the frigid cold waiting 20 minutes last night waiting for the DeCamp 33 into Manhattan. We were supposed to hear Andrea Marcovicci at the Algonquin, but I was dressed only in a wool coat – no scarf, no hat – and apparently no patience. By the time I gave up on the bus, I was an icicle, and nothing but a sauna-equipped limo would have convinced me to go into town.
But it could have been avoided. I went on IhateDeCamp.com today to see if there was any explanation, and found this picture along with this post:
During the Monday evening rush, a DeCamp dispatcher or bus handler or whatever you call them uses a pay phone to – I’m not kidding here – locate a missing bus. Choice quote: “What do you mean he’s somewhere on Grove Street? The guy who left 10 minutes after he did is here already.”
Well, that confirmed that something unusual had happened, so I decided to call DeCamp and ask about last night. The dispatcher told me that a big accident across from Clifton Commons yesterday afternoon slowed down traffic on Rt. 3, which affected buses both in and out of the city. Buses were running 15 to 20 minutes late around 6 pm, he confirmed.
Of course, I would have known to take the bus if I’d been receiving Clever Commute’s 33 bus alerts or reading them on my own site. Because here’s the story in hyper-condensed format.
I’m already a long-term subscriber to the train alerts, but I just signed up at Clever Commute for DeCamp alerts.
Meanwhile, Clever Commute has already passed on word that NJ Transit plans to cross-honor system-wide tomorrow – in anticipation of the wintry weather.
Twenty minutes? You’re complaining about twenty goldarn minutes? And you had no hat or scarf? Idiocy.
Ahhhh. I remember those 45 minute waits in the morning in snow and sleet storms. I remember that dispatcher too.
NJT trains may not be nirvana, but since I moved near my little station I have never had to wait outdoors in bad weather.
Yesterday was one of the worst DeCamp experience ever (and that is saying a lot). Nevertheless, it was not completely their fault. Due to the pedestrian fatality on Bloomfield Avenue, the 33 Grove experienced delays of nearly one hour during the morning commute. Considering DeCamp drivers were well aware of the incident, perhaps a commuter alert could have been sent out to all of us who signed up for it, right? I called DeCamp once I got to work and was told it was not possible to send commuter alerts before 9 am because the office does not open until then. The man then cursed me out, yelling at me–saying I should show some respect for the dead guy who got hit by the van (all I did was suggest they find a way to post alerts outside of regular business hours). The evening was much better – I was saved by a clever commute alert and instead of DeCamp, I took NJ Transit home. Turns out the bus I would have taken had to avoid the huge accident at the Bed Bath and Beyond on route 3 by taking NJ Turnpike North to 80 West to GSP So. to Route 3 to Grove.
Don’t worry that guy in the photo hates DeCamp too!
By that I mean he hates working there, or just maybe hates life. But he really hates PEOPLE the most.
If you have ever made the mistake of actually asking him for help or interacting with him in any way at all you already know what I’m talking about.
Sort of on the topic, dear Montclair elected officials, if you care to answer…. what are you DOING about helping to provide better options? Namely, there is a story out there about NJT saying they are all systems go with the new Hudson rail tunnel. In the meantime, where’s our weekend train service?!
What’s up with the pay phone? Don’t they have phones in the offices at the PA?
i haven’t even been living in NJ for a full year yet and have already learned that Decamp sucks. even though the bus stops about 100ft from my front door, i take it only when i have no other option. yes, there are many uncontrollable factors that may complicate their ability to be on-time but they can’t even get the controllable ones right. (and why should they? they have a monopoly on the routes they “serve”.) their lack of customer service frustrated me so much that i just gave up. NJT is indeed no “nirvana” but at least it shows up and i’m almost guaranteed a warm seat. also, it’s cheaper!
Hey, we get to do it all over again tonight! There’s a water main break on 3 westbound in East Rutherford! It’s taken out two lanes. Am starting to wonder if I can stay with friends in Manhattan tonight.
Are you serious? That is pathetic. There are so many easier ways to get to Grove from that point.
Of course if Rt. 3 was backed up all the way to the Turnpike, that changes things. A little.
From what I heard, it was backed up all the way to the tunnel exit. One rider commenting on clever commute called the detour “a thing of beauty.”
Debbie – sorry to hear of your woes. It stinks standing out there in the cold.
Thanks to all the Clever Commuters out there who continue to help each other out across NJ Transit, LIRR, Metro North and more.
It seems like its something everyday…and Mon-Tues-Wed of this week are looking like more of the same.
Good luck tomorrow AM…it’ll likely be a messy one
Can’t blame DeCamp for last night’s problems. If you have the flexibility, the best solution is to take the train into the city in the morning and take a bus home in the evening. DeCamp seems to be much more reliable on the evening commute home than on the morning commute in. Use Clever Commute to identify any problems and switch as necessary. Roll with the punches and keep your blood pressure low.
“Am starting to wonder if I can stay with friends in Manhattan tonight.”
I might even stay in Manhattan with enemies tonight.
Debbie, if you really really gotta be in NY for a show or to hear someone as wonderful as Andrea, go early and get a room at the hotel, or drive in during the mid-afternoon. You can pretty much count on public transportation in the city, but not on getting there from here. These folks truly don;t give a big rat’s keister.
DeCamp can’t keep to their schedule even when there is no traffic.
I think it is up the individual drivers – some are great – on time every day. Others are always late. DeCamp covers for them and blames it on the weather or traffic. Monday they had “trouble getting the busses started”. (actual quote from dispatcher).
I would like to say “THANKS” to the drivers at DeCamp who are doing a great job getting us to work on time and making our day easier – the riders do appreciate you. For the drivers who are consistently late – why do you have this job?
Memo to management….anyone home?
I am appalled that DeCamp made Debbie stand in the cold for 20 minutes, and that they didn’t even bother to provide a hat and scarf while she waited. And with no explanation! Those bastards! This is a matter for the International Criminal Court. I hope the head of DeCamp gets Thomas Lubanga as his cell mate.
Tomorrow on Baristanet: Debbie’s Comcast service is interrupted in the middle of The Daily Show, and when she calls, they put her on hold…
Any chance of getting Decamp mgt interned in Gitmo ? We may be looking to spring some poor lost souls soon.
Gitmo is too posh for DeCamp employees.
Take the train. And bring a hat, scarf and gloves. It’s the middle of winter, for $DEITY’s sake.
obama has banned torture, the notorious cruelty of decamp bus lines is over!
Does DeCamp really have a monopoly on express bus service from Montclair to the city? Why can’t NJ Transit run a competing bus line in addition to the train?
I’ve often asked that question and like you, have gotten no answer. At least one that made sense.
Have to say, though, that since I moved to WO, the service is better, probably because I take the 280 Express. It’s not perfect but it’s much more reliable than service on the 33 Grove.
Also, there are too many lines with the number 33 and 66. Very confusing. Did they run out of numbers at DeCamp?
I believe that DeCamp has some sort of leasing contract with NJ Transit. Read the side of the bus near the specs (# of seats etc.), it’s down there.
Too many lines with 33 and 66? Huh? There is the 33G (limited run down Grove), 33M (ends in Montclair)and the full route 33 ending in Caldwell. There is the 66 and the 66R (goes through Roseland). Dez it. And I say, sheesh, you whiny people.
Don’t forget 33 EX.
Dez not it, Spot. There’s also the 66CV, the 66MU, the 66 BFR, the 66 PRU, the 66R EX, the 66 PVW, the 66 XP, the 66G, the 33 EX, the 33 M, the 33 P and the 33 RT. I wish I was kidding.
Jeez,,I didnt realize that Walleroo was such a dolt..he/she joins the ranks.
To be called an idiot by the likes of you, padre, is an honor I can live with.
complainerpuss, I did mention the 33M. Here’s a legend to help y’all:
FOOTNOTE: FOR BROAD STREET SERVICE IN BLOOMFIELD ALSO CHECK THE ROUTE #88 SCHEDULE
EX Express I-280 NJTPK
G Grove Street Service
M Trips begin and end at Gates Avenue in Montclair
P Trips begin and end at Passiac Avenue in West Caldwell (THIS IS LITERALL AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE TERMINUS AT KIRKPATRICK LANE IN WEST CALDWELL.)
RT Via Meadowlands Race Track. Live racing nights only
And the legend for the 66 route variations:
G Trips operate via Grove St., Montclair- Upper Montclair
PRU Trips operate via Prudential Drive, Roseland
BFR Trips operate via Becker Farm Road, Roseland
S Trip will not operate Sunday and Holidays.
MU Trips operate via Montclair University Campus Bus Stop
CV Trips operate to and from Crown View Apartments
XP Trips operate via I-280-NJTP to and from Prospect Ave. West Orange
W Trips operate via Watchung Ave to Grove St – board busses on Park St West side of Railroad Station Montclair university is served throughout the day including weekends, 1 block south of school at Valley Rd and Nassaau Pl
Montclair university is served throughout the day including weekends, 1 block south of school at Valley Rd and Nassaau Pl