Edison officials reach compromise for shuttle

EDISON — The township is working together with Garden Communities to continue providing transit to the Edison Train Station via a shuttle program that has been in place for over 10 years.

The Edison Light Transit (ELT) program had previously been the victim of a budget cut on April 8. The township’s $118.5 million budget for 2011, introduced by the Township Council earlier this month, includes at least 45 layoffs and a reduction in services. Those cuts included the ELT shuttle program, as well as public works programs, and a reduction in the hours and days of summer recreation programs. The budget called for a stable municipal tax rate.

More than a dozen residents have attended recent council meetings to address the need for the shuttle program.

Jay P. Elliot, the township’s director of Health & Human Services, said cutting the program was a tough decision, but the service operated in the red by $200,000 last year.

“It was never put in place to make revenue,” he said. “It was started during Mayor George Spadoro’s administration with the idea of using less gas on the roads. The program sees over 200 riders.”

With the help of the residents of the Garden Communities apartments, the ELT shuttle program will be continued.

“We are optimistic that we can start the program back up on [April 25],” Elliot said. The private-public partnership, he said, will have the Garden Communities apartments — encompassing 1,700 units, including those in Durham Woods and the different villages — paying for the five bus drivers. The township will take care of the rest.

The bus routes and times will remain the same for the Durham Woods, Village Court, Village Commons, Village Gate, Talmadge Village, Waterford and Hana Road for Merrywood 1 and 2. The service is provided Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The bus routes and times for the Rivendell on Plainfield Avenue, Hicks, Star Point, Ethel Road, and Hana Road for Brunswick Avenue and Merrywood Drive have been cut. Elliot said people living in those complexes are within walking distance to the train station.

Residents on the preserved routes will not see a difference because of the privatepublic partnership when the service starts back up next week.

“They will see that same smile from the bus drivers they have seen over the years,” said Elliot. “The private-public partnership allows us to continue the assurance of this quality service.”

Formore information on the ELT shuttle program, visit www.edisonnj.org or call 732-248-7345.