When I was growing up in Bayonne, the Public Service Corporation owned the #14 Bus that ran from Avenue C in Bayonne to Exchange Place in Jersey City. The company operated numerous bus lines across New Jersey.  Each bus bore the company’s insignia, a circle that had a triangle inside it.  The same symbol was on the old Public Service building at 36^th Street and Broadway in Bayonne.  (The Bayonne Adult Medical Day Care Center occupies that building now.)

            The Public Service Corporation began in 1903.  The original version of Public Service brought together an electric power business and four trolley companies.  The company added more enterprises to its holdings over the next two decades.  In 1928, the various Public Service operations were reorganized into two companies: the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and Public Service Coordinated Transport, which operated streetcars and buses.  Gradually, most of the streetcars were replaced by buses. The Newark Subway, which opened in 1935, was an exception.  It kept the streetcars until 2001, when they were replaced by modern light rail vehicles.  Today, the former Newark Subway is called the Newark Light Rail.

The 1970’s and 1980’s saw many changes in the transportation industry. In 1971, Public Service Coordinated Transport was renamed Transport of New Jersey.  At that time, many private railroads were going bankrupt.  In 1976, several rail companies combined into Conrail, which wanted to focus on the freight business.  In 1979, the New Jersey Department of Transportation formed New Jersey Transit, a government corporation, that began to buy out bus lines.  In 1980, New Jersey Transit acquired Transport of New Jersey from Public Service.  In 1983, New Jersey Transit took over Conrail’s commuter rail services in this state.

Long-time and retired commuters may remember that New Jersey Transit reorganized and renumbered the former Public Service bus routes in 1989.  For example, the #14 Bus in Bayonne and Jersey City became the #81 Bus, and the #9 Bus in Jersey City became the #80 Bus.

Today, New Jersey Transit owns and operates most commuter rail lines in the state, with some exceptions.  The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the PATH trains.  Amtrak, a federal government corporation, runs trains through New Jersey along its Northeast Corridor.  SEPTA (the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), and PATCO (the Delaware River Port Authority Transit Corporation) have trains in Pennsylvania and South Jersey.

Although ownership and management have changed over the years, mass transportation remains vitally important in New Jersey. The City of Bayonne will continue working with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit, and private transportation companies to keep transit on track in the years to come.         

The post FROM PUBLIC SERVICE TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT first appeared on River View Observer.

          Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne has adopted a new garbage and recycling schedule, effective January 2, 2021. 

          For purposes of garbage and recycling pick-ups, Bayonne will be divided into three zones:  Zone 1 will run from 1^st Street through 16^th Street including Broadway.  Zone 2 will run from 16^th Street to 30^th Street, including Broadway, Prospect Avenue, Avenue F, and Harbor Pointe (the former Alexan).  Zone 3 will run from 30^th Street to 63^rd Street, including County Village (the development by the City Line, the Bayonne-Jersey City border), and all other thoroughfares between 30^th and 31^st Streets. 

The post NEW 2021 SCHEDULE FOR Bayonne garbage and recycling first appeared on River View Observer.

Father John Fencik, Pastor of St. Maryâ€s Orthodox Church and Chairman of the Bayonne Interfaith Clergy, said, “The annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service brings together people of all faiths and those without a religious affiliation.  The event provides an opportunity to thank God and to celebrate our communityâ€s religious and cultural diversity.  We ask members of the public attending the service to bring canned food items to help Bayonneâ€s people in need.” 

            The service will include musical selections by St. Vincentâ€s Youth Choir, St. Vincentâ€s Senior Choir, and St. Peterâ€s Prep Vox.  Musical accompaniment will be provided by Tom Norton, the St. Vincentâ€s Church organist.   

            A light reception will follow the service. 

The post Bayonne Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Set for Monday, November 19 first appeared on River View Observer.

Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the City of Bayonne will host a Medicare open enrollment event on Wednesday, October 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at 630 Avenue C.  The event will give Medicare patients the opportunity to compare plans, and make sure that they have the right health and prescription drug coverage.  It is time for Medicare patients to review their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.  It is also time to consider health insurance that works with Medicare, including Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Patients may stay with their current plan if they are happy with it, or look for a new one with better coverage, higher quality, and lower cost.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2013.  New enrollments will take effect on January 1, 2014.

Representatives of the Bayonne Office On Aging and the Hudson County Senior Health Insurance Plan will be on hand to assist the public.

For more information, please call the Bayonne Office On Aging at 201-858-6119.

City to Hold Meeting on Special Needs Sports Program

Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the City of Bayonneâ€s Division of Recreation, in conjunction with the Bayonne Board of Education, will be hosting an informational meeting regarding the introduction of a Special Needs Sports Program, and invites all parents/caregivers/families of children and teens ages 4-17, who are disabled, multi-disabled, or have special needs. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 6:00pm at Washington Community School, between 47th & 48th Street and Avenue B.

The Special Needs Sports Program will take place on Saturdays once or twice a month, depending on the level of interest, and will include

numerous sports activities. From basketball to bocce to Zumba, the Special Needs Sports Program will be a fun, relaxed and enjoyable experience. The

City of Bayonne believes that every child should have an opportunity to receive and benefit from quality recreational activities.

For further information, contact Recreation Supervisor Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129.

The post Event Happenings from the City of Bayonne for the end of October 2013 first appeared on River View Observer.

City of Bayonne’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 from River View Observer on Vimeo.

The crowds came out today for the City of Bayonne's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The River View Observer was there to capture today's festivities.

The post City of Bayonne, St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17th, 2013 first appeared on River View Observer.