Coach USA exploring service to Vernon Township

VERNON — Coach USA launched a survey on Thursday to investigate the demand for one-seat service from Vernon to New York City.
Vernon Township Mayor Harry Shortway said he had been in discussions with U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer for about a year in bringing a commuting option to the township.
“It’s a start,” said Harry Shortway.
Shortway, who has sons between the ages of 37 and 27, said he and the township council have been exploring ways how to make Vernon Township more attractive to Millennials, who may have been from the township, looking to return to raise their families.
“If we get them back it’s going to be a home run for the township,” Shortway said.
Gottheimer first contacted Coach USA in February 2017 about the possibility of serving Vernon Township and Sussex County.
Shortway said the township previously looked at New Jersey Transit for bus service, but said it didn’t believe it had the ridership to justify service. Shortway said Coach USA needs to fill about 150 seats per day to justify service.
A news release put out by Gottheimer said Vernon has the fifth-worst commute in the state.
"The lack of affordable transportation options in Warren and Sussex County has gone unaddressed for far too long,” Gottheimer said. “This is a great first step and I hope that Coach's survey finds what I've been hearing: We need more transportation options for our residents.”
The new stop will also serve residents of Hamburg, Wantage, Sussex, Franklin and Hardyston Township.
“We want to make sure our potential service is tailored to the needs of Vernon and the surrounding community,” said Sean Hughes, director Corporate Affairs Coach USA North America.
The survey can be found at https://www.coachusa.com/vernon.
“It’s nice to have access to the Congressman on a daily basis,” Shortway said.