Passaic City Council weighs buying shuttles with UEZ funds
With ridership averaging 1,400 passengers weekly, Passaic is considering how to run its free shuttle service and whether to own the vehicles.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — city discusses shuttle purchases as ridership, council q&a, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Mayor said the City-only shuttle helps some riders with special needs avoid accidentally traveling beyond Passaic on NJ Transit.
A free ride across Passaic now draws 1,400 passengers a week. At the Passaic City Council meeting, the Mayor reported that figure as the latest weekly average for the shuttle service. The Mayor said 110 students travel daily from the Wall Street site and expects ridership to rise during winter. Council members discussed whether to keep paying a private shuttle company, buy vehicles with UEZ funds or use City drivers with commercial licenses.
The Mayor described the free shuttle as a City-only service supported by UEZ funding. That boundary can matter for riders with autism spectrum disorder or other special needs, the Mayor said, because they could accidentally travel beyond Passaic on NJ Transit. The Mayor also described City recreation vans and other vehicles that transport special needs children, along with a county ride-share partnership funded by the state for trips to medical appointments and errands. The Passaic City Council discussion did not settle how the shuttle fleet would be operated.
A trolley is in the plans, too. The Mayor said the City received funding for one and is planning a “Polar Express” ride in December. The Mayor also reported 10 UEZ bike rentals a day across six stations, including sites near Wall Street and the Main Avenue bus terminal. For the shuttle, the question remains whether Passaic will keep relying on a private operator or put UEZ money toward its own vehicles. No purchase or switch to City drivers was reported.
Council Q&A: Contract Award for Roadway/Intersection Work and New Traffic Signal (Brook Avenue and Monroe/Hoover; Passaic Avenue/Brook Avenue area)
Passaic City Council questioned the scope of a contract award for road and intersection work near Brook Avenue and the Monroe/Hoover area. The Mayor described a new traffic signal, full-depth roadway repairs, pavement striping, drainage structure adjustments and ADA curb ramps. The discussion did not include a reported vote on the award.
The planned work also includes rectangular rapid flashing beacons, bus stop surfacing, and new regulatory and warning signs. The Mayor said Passaic has been installing ADA ramps elsewhere, including along Passaic Avenue and Broadway. The project would address pedestrian crossings as well as the roadway itself.
A Passaic City Council member asked whether county control of part of the roadway required county funding or permission. In response, the Council heard that the county had been made aware of the project and would be informed of work on a county road. The City uses funding, including NJDOT funds, for repairs within Passaic, even where a road falls under county jurisdiction.
Passaic City Council closes hearing without speakers
Passaic City Council opened its public comment period, but no one came forward to speak. Council President Sher outlined a five-minute limit and rules barring obscene language, harassment and bias intimidation; council members then voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Residents had an opportunity to address the Passaic City Council, but the hearing ended without public testimony.
Passaic City Council advances fire hydrant ordinance
Passaic City Council unanimously introduced an ordinance that would prohibit obstructions of fire hydrants and fire department connections. If adopted, it would let uniformed firefighters serve as parking enforcement officers; the Mayor said they could directly ticket vehicles blocking hydrants. Final action is scheduled for November 5.
Firefighters could ticket vehicles blocking hydrants directly, rather than calling police officers to issue the fines.
Passaic City Council discusses Broadway crossing
Passaic City Council discussed crosswalk markings near Broadway after a council member raised pedestrian safety concerns. The Mayor said curb cuts and necessary approvals must come before painting a crosswalk, and said the City would check the intersection and apply for a curb cut.
The proposed crossing needs an accessible curb cut before Passaic can paint a crosswalk at that intersection.
Passaic City Council reviews elevator inspection contract
Passaic City Council discussed an elevator inspection contract with Municipal Inspection Corp of Bayonne, with a 90/10 fee split favoring the vendor. Property owners would pay inspection fees, and the City has 293 active devices, including elevators and escalators; Passaic has long outsourced these inspections.
Owners of buildings with elevators or similar equipment would receive inspection bills under the proposed contract.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Passaic had 12 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEScheduling Hearing Request: Golden State Property Management LLC (949 Main Avenue) Appeal of Rent Leveling Board Decision (Untimely Filing). Council considered whether to schedule a hearing for an appeal by Golden State Property Management LLC regarding a Rent Leveling Board decision for 949 Main Avenue. The City Attorney advised the appeal was filed late (22 days vs. 20-day deadline) with no stated exception. Council voted to reject scheduling the hearing.
- GOVERNANCEFinal Reading: Amend Designation of Restricted Parking for Disabled Person (Emergency License Plate Number). Council held the required public hearing and then adopted Ordinance 2540-26 on second and final reading regarding restricted parking for a disabled person (emergency license plate number). No public comments were offered, and the ordinance passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEFirst Reading: Amend Designation of Restricted Parking for Disabled Person (NJ License Plate Number); Set Second Reading for November 5. Council introduced an ordinance on first reading to amend the designation of restricted parking for a disabled person, referencing a New Jersey license plate number. Second reading/final action was scheduled for November 5.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Bills. Council considered the remaining agenda item dealing with bills. With no questions raised, Council voted to accept the bills as presented by the clerk.
- GOVERNANCEAcceptance of Items 15, 30, 32, and 37. Council proceeded to a block vote on items 15, 30, 32, and 37. With no additional questions raised, Council voted to accept the items as a group.
- GOVERNANCEAcceptance of Routine Matters Items 8–13. Council considered items 8 through 13 as routine matters. With no questions raised, Council voted to accept items 8–13 as a block.
- GOVERNANCEAcceptance of Communication Items 3–7. Council asked whether any members had questions on communication items 3 through 7. With no questions raised, Council voted to accept items 3–7 as a block.
- GOVERNANCEAdministrative Report: Business Administrator Health Update. Council noted the Business Administrator’s recovery status, stating he had been walking with difficulty but improving, was still bedridden, and might start walking the following week after reconstruction.
- GOVERNANCEFinal Reading: Amend Chapter 295 Vehicles and Traffic (Article 12 Schedules; Section 20.2; Schedule 2-500 Clergy Parking). Council held the required public hearing and then adopted Ordinance 2539-26 on second and final reading. No public comments were offered during the hearing, and the ordinance passed unanimously by roll call.
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