Bus service unchanged

Suburban Transit says dispute over lots in East Brunswick won’t have any impact in South Brunswick.

By: Brian Shappell
   Suburban Transit Corp. representatives say South Brunswick bus service will not be affected by a dispute between the company and Academy Bus Inc. over who can use lots in two East Brunswick locations.
   "We will continue to provide the South Brunswick services, regardless," said John Emberson, southern district general manager of Coach USA, Suburban’s parent company.
   Township officials and riders alike became concerned about the local routes, including the Wall Street express route, after the East Brunswick Township Council voted Aug. 27 to give Academy a contract to use lots at the Neilson Plaza and the East Brunswick Transportation Center thanks to a 16 percent fare decrease offered by Academy.
   Mr. Emberson said Suburban has appealed the decision and was successful in obtaining an injunction from Middlesex County Municipal Court.
   Academy spokeswoman Melanie McEoy would not comment on the decision.
   A hearing on the matter is scheduled Sept. 10 in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick.
   Officials and riders were worried because the Neilson Parking Plaza on Tower Center Boulevard is a key hub for Suburban bus routes upon which many township residents depend, especially those who change buses there while using the Wall Street express service.
   Mayor Debra Johnson said she was disappointed that township officials were not contacted about a decision that could affect South Brunswick.
   "Clearly, the lack of communication from our neighbors shows they don’t particularly care what we are feeling," Mayor Johnson said.
   Mr. Emberson said Suburban would continue to serve South Brunswick riders, even if the court sides with Academy in the dispute.
   "I’m glad because we have a lot of people that commute to New York," said Mayor Johnson. "If we can craft a way to generate routes from South Brunswick in the future because of this, that’s all the better."