We've only ridden DeCamp once. The MidTown Direct train is literally 50 feet from our door, so we took that. THe one time we did take DeCamp, it was EXTREMELY HOT inside. Everyone was fanning themselves, etc. I ended up getting off the bus way early b/c I felt sick to my stomach.

Posted by: butchcjg2 | Dec 10, 2004 10:49:08 AM

PULEEZ! My blood pressure goes up 20 points when I even think about DeCamp. If you could look up "poorly run company" in the dictionary, it would be there.

Posted by: Miss Martta | Dec 10, 2004 2:53:51 PM

At least they showed up...I once waited 3 hours, missed the yankee games I was trying to get to and when I called was shrugged off and told that guy was sick today so no bus at all.

Posted by: hrhppg | Dec 10, 2004 3:05:51 PM

How about the time I got on the bus with my toddler and umbrella stroller, only to be flung on my face as the driver (purposely?) floored the gas pedal before I was able to get my child and I to our seats? Or the two times I was studiously ignored by both driver and passengers when (while 5 months pregnant) I fainted in my seat? I could go on...you learn a lot about human nature from commuting!

Posted by: Joe Lee | Dec 10, 2004 3:41:43 PM

I've heard DeCamp is the reason the Montclair/Boonton line doesn't run on weekends. Is this true?

Posted by: curious george | Dec 10, 2004 7:45:28 PM

I am not a regular commuter--but i have to say in all honesty, that over 35 years, whenever I have travelled into the city via DeCamp, I have never had a problem. Maybe I am just lucky........

Posted by: cshel924 | Dec 11, 2004 12:58:36 PM

Cshel -

You are, indeed, freakishly lucky. Could you publish your bus schedule for the rest of us? I want to get on the same busses as you.

Posted by: Lex | Dec 13, 2004 9:44:14 AM

I was a daily DeCamp 33 commuter for ten years. Many of the drivers were nasty. One driver, upon being asked to turn on the reading lights (5 :30 a.m. in winter - it's dark)replied: "Whaddya want, a swimming pool?" He also went out of his way to pull up at the highest point of the snow mound and yell to the commuters to hurry up, already. Rumor had it he was fired on grounds of hostility. But there were helpful drivers and some were even pleasant, some quite so. On their behalf,I feel sorry about the complaints. Sal was inspired.

Posted by: ellen | Dec 14, 2004 8:15:42 PM

Curious George-
DeCamp is NOT the reason that the Montclair/Boonton line doesn't run on weekends. The reason is an agreement reached between NJ Transit and the Township of Montclair to placate local residents who are opposd to the traffic and noise associated with weekend operation of the grade crossings. So why not run weekend service only as far west as Bay St.?

Posted by: Ed | Dec 17, 2004 5:27:51 PM

I am stuck with DeCamp since the Rowe and Benson Street stations closed. I HATE THEM! Today I went to Broad/Bay in Bloomfield at 4:20 for the 4:30ish bus, watched it go by as I was approaching the corner and waving frantically. The 5:00ish bus was, of course, late, and then took the slowest possible lane into and through the tunnel, followed by a lovely tour of the West 30's because the sadists at the PABT have decided it would be fun to close the main approach to the building at rush hour. I think the driver's last job was operating some kind of foot-operated pump because we jerked and jolted all the way to New York. When we stopped, inexplicably, at the corner of 31st and 12th (Because that's RIGHT NEAR the bus terminal) I told him to let me off (two other people followed me) and ran to Penn Station to catch the subway downtown. I was only 30 minutes late for class... thus my 18 mile commute took two hours. If I could find someplace in Montclair to park, I would never give the miserable people at DeCamp another nickel of my money. I am amazed that www.decampsucks.com has not been registered.

Posted by: Chris | Apr 25, 2005 11:48:28 PM

I remember the #22 bus, the #55, and the original route #44 - all defunct. I remember an 88 bus on weekends - gone! All DeCamp does is whine like a petulant child, bemoaning its fate that the NJ Transit NY Midtown direct train is knocking down their ridership. Well, they deserve it. Instead of whining, why didn't they do something tangible to increase their ridership - like holiday specials, like better weekend schedules [on time, with pleasant drivers], like sponsoring a suburban Essex County open house to their headquarters (with refreshments) to meet their leadership and encourage travelers to support them. Of course, Montclair is the obstructionist town that has denied NJ Transit the right to run trains on weekends into NYC. It seems the train whistles bothers the residents who want to sleep late on weekends. Therefore we in Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Montclair and West Essex are the prisoners of one public transportation entity. DeCamp has forgotten its founders' mission. It's a sad shadow of its heritage. For shame! Oh, and maybe the Port Authority can eliminate their back-breaking "seating" at the bus terminal and let commuters board the buses more than 4 minutes prior to departure. I can't believe the PA so flagrantly violates the ADA and senior citizen comfort.

Posted by: Helene Kaplan | Sep 27, 2005 9:53:33 AM

No one is ever happy in this town. Decamp is IMMENSELY better than NJ Transit. The busses are at least clean, and the drivers can actually speak English. Not to mention that the busses get into the City in a reasonable time. It's a major hassle to be late to work because the bus isn't there, but honestly, you missed part of a show. Frivolity. You spent tons of money of a cab fare, poor you.

Then the residents who live on the tracks complain of the noise. YOU CHOSE TO LIVE THERE. It's a damn railroad track. What were you expecting? Seriously.

You can't please anyone.

Posted by: ughh asd | Dec 27, 2005 9:18:39 AM

IT DOES NOT GET WORSE THAN DECAMP. I want to BUY THEM OUT. Who would like to pool their funds together with me?? POORLY RUN COMPANY is a gross understatement!!

I live in Manhattan. My parents live in North Jersey (my line is the 44).
1. The bus has NEVER been on time (half hour late is a good day). They are CHRONICALLY LATE.
2. The dispatchers (if they answer the phone after 75 rings) are not courteous nor professional.
3. The drivers are beyond RUDE.

LET'S GET A REPLACEMENT FOR DECAMP NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to uggh asd, glad to hear you are so accepting of life's woes. Good for you! Just wait until you're late for an interview thanks to DeCamp. You'll want to shove your Deepak Chopra book right up the president of DeCamp's ass, my dear!

Posted by: NYAtty | May 28, 2006 12:17:22 PM