Academy bus stops to be added

JACKSON — A proposal from the Ocean County Board of Freeholders regarding the designation of 13 new Academy bus stops along major Jackson roads was approved by the Township Council on Oct. 25, after council members cited an unrelated bus stop proposal from NJ Transit as a reason for some confusion.

The approved proposal, which adds stops to three Ocean County roads in Jackson, will improve bus service to New York City. Officials said permitting buses to stop on county roads will help residents who cannot avail themselves of Jackson’s park-and-ride lot.

“I think expanding and giving Jackson residents an opportunity to expand services into New York City is a great way to go,” Councilman Scott Martin said.

The plan, which will keep Academy buses away from residential areas, will add two stops on Hope Chapel Road (Route 639), eight stops on West County Line Road (Route 526) and three stops on North County Line Road (Route 526), according to the council.

County representatives selected the locations for the 13 new Academy bus stops based on the need in a specific area.

“The county is trying to move forward,” council President Kenneth Bressi said.

The confusion regarding the bus stops arose from a proposal from NJ Transit that would have added more than 40 bus stops throughout Jackson. Council members were concerned about that proposal because of what they said was the bus stops’ close proximity to residential areas. The request from NJ Transit was rejected.

At the Sept. 27 council meeting, Councilman Michael Kafton opposed the addition of the large number of bus stops, saying that the township “[doesn’t] need to increase congestion on Jackson’s roads. … We should centralize the bus stops so there are one or two stops and the buses are out.”

The resolution that was under consideration on Oct. 25 regarding the new Academy bus stops passed with a 4-0 vote. Kafton was absent from the meeting.