As background, my wife and I moved to Downtown JC last year from LIC Queens. We recently started looking for another apartment and found a great option in Hamilton Park. Although the apartment was nice, we did not prefer the 15min walk to the PATH after considering weather conditions (bad snow days, rain, summer) and the time it would add to our overall commute. After not moving forward with the apartment, I started considering possible solutions to help people in similar (hence some of the neighborhoods listed) and worse situations. The questions posed here are for data gathering and research to help understand the problem before identifying any final solution. Thank you for sharing the paper. Very helpful. I am also reviewing the JC transit study conducted in 2022 on transit issues across the entire city and recommendations.

If VIA were to cost 2x more than a single bus ride and have minimal to no wait time, would your use of VIA remain the same, increase or decrease?

Based on your current living situation, on demand travel services (ie. VIA, Uber, etc.) are not required integral to your typical travel schedule?

Are there any travel situations where bus service is not ideal for you?

Do most of your travel needs take you into the city ie. work, doctors appointment, social life? How often do you need to travel into the city? Finally, which do you prefer (VIA or bus service) to manage connections to long range travel modes (ie. PATH or light rail)?

What makes bus service reliable during rush hour? To clarify, is it that they arrive more frequently, avoid traffic, arrive on time?

Would you then rank safety, speed, as a top motivational factors in choosing your travel means?

Would you be more or less likely to use an on demand travel service ( eg. Via) over bus service if there were to be minimal to no wait time? Also, how often do you use on demand travel services like VIA?

The neighborhoods listed were included simply due to inclusivity and the nature of travel in urban environments. Having access to a bus line <15mins away is likely not sufficient to meet all travel needs or preferences of a community. Also, when someone reconsiders living in a neighborhood because access to a train or light rail is 15mins away can indicate that more can be done to make living in those areas more convenient for all.

Would you prefer a more direct means of travel ie. one that does not stop at every street? Some might desire less stops between them and their destination, but don’t have access to that in their neighborhood.

What would you say you value most 1) An app that accurately tracks bus arrival times or 2) a bus service that runs more frequently? To clarify, the app can be accurate and yet the bus service run less frequently. Is it the service, the technology (app) or both that matter most to you?

Would you say that your preference is to use the bus for travel within Jersey City? Also, using the example you provided about redirecting to JSQ after the bus didn’t arrive, is your preference to use the bus to travel directly into the city and why?

If I may, what options did you consider before deciding on using VIA or the light rail to get downtown? To clarify, was there a reason not to walk, bike, or even purchase a car?

Do you have any frustrations with a <15min walk to access the bus line or train? Do you have to wait often or increase your commute time using the bus? Some May desire a shorter commute on the first leg of their travel.

How often do you use VIA and/or the bus? Do you have any frustrations with using these types of transit? Also, are there any frustrations with the walk to JSQ? For some, 15mins is outside of their zone for proximity to a train.

Was the choice to live in in your neighborhood influenced by having a car? Also, do you prefer to drive or is it the choice to drive due to lack of public transit access?

This is helpful context. One last question, would you change anything about your travel options when you have to commute within Jersey City or to the city?

Outside of commutes directed toward the city, do you use the bus, walk, bike or drive for commuting within Jersey City?

Specifically on bus service, how often do you use it, for what purpose and what time of day? For some the bus stop might be a 5mins walk away, but for others maybe 15 mins depending on where they live. Also, is it better service during the day vs. at night?