Danny Palumbo’s AAA Taxi appears out of running to continue service.
By: Jennifer Potash
Since 1999, Danny Palumbo, owner of AAA Taxi in Princeton Township, provided the Crosstown 62 senior-citizen transportation program to the delight of both seniors and municipal officials.
But when the joint Princeton Human Services Department opens bids for continuing the service Monday morning at Princeton Township Hall, AAA Taxi will not likely be among them, Mr. Palumbo said Wednesday.
The gulf between Mr. Palumbo and local officials seems to have developed primarily because of communication problems.
Mr. Palumbo, in a telephone interview Wednesday, said his last contract for Crosstown 62 expired months ago and he said he is upset the Human Services Department, Princeton Borough and Princeton Township have shunted him aside in favor of outside contractors.
"I’m feeling such frustration about it," he said. "I don’t think it’s worth it to me health-wise to continue."
AAA Taxi provides the rides from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays for seniors unable to drive. In addition to the $2 that riders pay, the municipalities add a $9 subsidy to cover the remaining cost.
Members of the Human Services Commission have said Mr. Palumbo’s refusal to continue with Crosstown 62 is tied to a separate dispute with the Princeton Borough Council over livery and taxi licenses. Mr. Palumbo said there are a "variety of issues," but declined to go into the specifics.
Mr. Palumbo, who grew up in Princeton, said he viewed Crosstown 62 as a way to give back to the community.
Initially, the program involved about 20 rides per week, but the popularity of Crosstown 62 led to a fourfold increase, Mr. Palumbo said.
The Human Services Department, which administers the Crosstown 62 Program, and the Human Services Commission have always been pleased with Mr. Palumbo, said Lance Liverman, a member of the Human Services Commission.
"We love Danny’s service, there’s no question about it," he said, citing Mr. Palumbo’s willingness to expand the program to serve more seniors and requiring his drivers to take sensitivity training to better deal with elderly customers.
But when Mr. Palumbo informed the commission earlier this year he would not continue with Crosstown 62, the Human Services Commission had no choice but to seek other providers, Mr. Liverman said.
Mr. Palumbo said he has nothing but positive feelings for his dealings with Mr. Liverman and others at the Human Services Department and Township Administrator Jim Pascale.
Lisa Randazzese, an attorney for Princeton Township, which administers the joint Human Services Department, said at the Human Services’ April 23 meeting the Crosstown 62 contract must be bid since it is a yearly program and the budget exceeds the $17,500 threshold.
Mr. Palumbo said he had one more conversation with Human Services Director Cynthia Mendez on Wednesday about Crosstown 62 but could not get the problems resolved. Ms. Mendez declined to comment.
Princeton Borough Mayor Marvin Reed addressed the Crosstown 62 dilemma Tuesday at a Borough Council meeting and told the council to expect cost increases and possibly a revamp for the service such as a jitney program. Another potential option for seniors still able to drive is a shared car service.

