Seniors Upset About Changed Shuttle Service

Some people are just too old to hop. 

Earlier this week, the city launched two new bus lines as part of the "Hop" system, which means there are now a total of three routes in town (blue, green and red). On Friday afternoon, a few dozen of Hoboken's senior citizens aired their complaints about the changed shuttle at a meeting at the Multi Service Center. 

The senior bus was incorporated into one of the Hops, leaving some seniors confused about the changed route and different bus stops.  

The senior bus was only accessible for seniors—younger family members were not allowed on it—while the Hop is accessible to people of all ages, something Director of Health and Human Services Leo Pellegrini mentioned as a positive. The Hop is free for seniors. 

The Hops drive shorter routes, which means they come by more often. On the flip side of that is that seniors may have to transfer buses to get to where they want to go. 

"I agree," said Pellegrini, "it's an inconvenience."

Another complaint that was yelled through the room at the Multi Service Center on Friday afternoon, was that the Hop doesn't stop at enough senior buildings. 

"I'm 64, I shouldn't be jumping from one bus to another bus with my bags," said Eletha Parker who has lived in Hoboken for the past 50 years. 

"I don't care if they have the Hop," Parker continued, "just leave the senior shuttle alone."

Sacs as well as Mayor Dawn Zimmer said the changes to the route—the senior shuttle ran once every hour, the Hop runs once every 30 minutes—originated after the administration received complaints about the senior shuttle.  

One of the proposed changes included that the bus would run on Hudson St., to avoid traffic. But Sacs said he'd change that back, putting the bus back on Washington Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  

"We're here to listen to your concerns," Zimmer told the seniors on Friday afternoon. 

Some of the seniors said the new system is not working, and requested that the city would go back to the way things were. Sacs said that, since the new routes had been in service for only three days, it's too soon to jump to conclusions and change back to the way things were. 

"We have kinks to work out," he said. 

Zimmer agreed, but added: "if it really doesn't work, we'll be bringing back the senior bus."

Some of the attendants also expressed confusion about the new routes, and lack of clear maps that show where the different colored Hops are going. Zimmer said that as soon as the routes are finalized, a clear schedule will be provided to the senior citizens. 

"They took the senior bus away," said Marine View resident Judy Willis, "to, really, help the young people."