Strike Begins for DeCamp Bus Union Employees

Union employees of DeCamp Bus Lines began to strike, as threatened, Thursday morning at 5 a.m.

As a result, commuters have been scrambling to come up with alternatives for getting to and from work. NJ Transit has posted advice on its website, warning customers to expect crowded conditions.

"But we've seen this before ... there was a threat of a strike in 2006 that never materialized," Dan Stessel, an NJ Transit spokesman, said this week. "We've just dusted off our same warnings we issued then."

Stressel urged customers to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines, and also to be mindful of parking capacity constraints. NJ Transit has said it will not cross-honor DeCamp tickets.

DeCamp issued an alert on its website earlier this week, warning customers of the strike.

"Attention all passengers, effective 5 a.m. Thursday morning, Sept. 2, 2010 the union employees of DeCamp Bus Lines will be on strike," the alert states. "There will be no service. We will keep riders informed as information becomes available."

The dispatcher who answered the phone Wednesday at DeCamp headquarters in Montclair said the company does not have a spokesperson. When asked why the union plans to strike or how long it will last, she said she was authorized only to say, "no comment."

DeCamp is a major provider of bus service to and from New York City from the area with a total of more than 7,400 people traveling via DeCamp buses each day.

The membership of Local 1317 actually voted to authorize a strike about three months ago, but drivers never actually made good on the threat—until now.

The last known drivers' strike at DeCamp Bus Lines occurred in 1982. How long this work stoppage will last still has not been determined.

Although management has refused to speak to the media, there were no last-minute agreements emerging from management and union member meetings on Wednesday.

1. Purchase NJ Transit system tickets in advance. All customers are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid lines. A $5 surcharge applies to tickets purchased aboard trains when a ticket vending maching or ticket agent is available.

2. Travel during off-peak hours, if possible. To avoid crowds, customers are encouraged to travel outside of the traditional peak rush-hour periods.

3. Be mindful of parking capacity constraints. Many boarding locations have limited parking capacity. Customers may wish to consider having a friend or family member drop them off instead. If driving, arrive early to ensure you get a parking spot. Have an alternate plan ready in the event your parking lot is full.

4. Don't forget! DeCamp tickets will not be honored aboard NJ Transit trains or buses.

5. Parking and bus service to New York is available from several park and ride lots in the region. But NJ Transit said lots at Allgood and Willowbrook often are full, but the one at Vince Lombardi generally has space. Located in Ridgefield off Exit 16 of the Turnpike, express buses there take passengers directly to the Port Authority in New York City. Together, the round-trip fare and parking cost $7.75.

6. To quickly find out the train schedule, go here.

7. Sign up for DeCamp's mobile phone alert messages by going here.

8. Sign up to Clever Commute so that you can get the latest travel information from other people who are making the same trip as you.