In two weeks, one of New Jersey’s oldest bus companies, DeCamp bus line will cease its operations to and from New York City. 

This impacts the 33, 66/66R, 44, 99, 88, 32, and 100 bus routes.

DeCamp says they are losing a lot of money because of low ridership three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. More companies are adopting the work from home or flex schedule options.

In a statement on Monday, the company said the decision comes as monthly ridership averages 20% or less of pre-pandemic levels. They say they have received federal and state assistance but there isn't any more help coming at them.

Effective Friday, April 7, DeCamp will stop operating its seven commuter routes in Passaic and Essex counties to and from New York City. The company says they will continue providing daily charter, shuttle, and casino services to Atlantic City. But many commuters are already feeling stressed and anxious as they find another way to get to the city.

The sixth-generation family-owned business started as a stagecoach line in 1870 with a covered wagon, hard wooden benches and iron-rimmed wheels hitched to horses. 

Thousands of residents will be impacted from the service changes and commuters are expressing their concerns.

Nicole Albergo, a commuter from Bloomfield, says she feels "shock and panic” and says she heavily depends on DeCamp every day to get to work.

"This is something that I have to adjust to and deal with, and it's a complete inconvenience for me," Albergo said. "My fiancé also works in the city, so it is going to affect both of us."

"I'm sad cause this is the quickest way for me to get into the city," said Jennifer, another DeCamp bus commuter.

She continued, "The train takes at least fifteen more minutes and it's just super quick. I get to work in an hour and fifteen minutes, like if I get this bus at 6:02."

"Obviously it's disappointing I use this everyday," Rob Perlmutter said. "Today I'm taking one bus later than I usually do. But I'm just worried about taking NJ Transit, on the train and how crowded it will be."

"It's going to be an inconvenience for a lot of people but I'm hoping NJ transit will actually instate more bus lines going back into New York. That's part of the probably too," Jim Josephs said.

As for an alternative bus route, DeCamp is directing customers to take NJ Transit.