Programming in Manhattan


A rough commute


After a brief period, I was hired by a consulting firm in Manhattan to assist with software development and technical documentation. It's quite a commute from Montclair, New Jersey, which is just 17 miles away.

There are several options to take to get to New York:

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Bus

The Decamp private bus line travels directly from Montclair by expressway past the Meadowlands through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. The trip takes about 45 minutes (with no traffic)which then is followed by a 15 minute walk. The subway could fill in for the walk, but the result is the same: 5 minute walk, 5 minute wait, 5 minute ride. Cost round trip is $10.70 (with the subway add $3.00).

Note: Since September 11, every suspicious-looking truck or other vehicle is searched by police at the Lincoln Tunnel. Every now and then, they conduct a search of almost EVERY vehicle, to make sure everyone is aware of the heightened security at the tunnel. During these times the trip on this bus can take between 1-2 HOURS extra--making it not only the most expensive, but also the LONGEST way!

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Train

The train station is about a 20 minute walk from the house. The New Jersey Transit train travels from the edge of Montclair to Hoboken, New Jersey, which is right across the Hudson River from Manhattan. From there the PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) train travels through a tunnel under the Hudson and up to 33rd Street. Travel time is either 75 minutes or 90 minutes, depending on whether or not the PATH train is there (they run 15 minutes apart). Cost round trip is $8.00.

Note: the NJ Transit train is uncrowded and comfortable, but the PATH train is PACKED!

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3


Bus and Train

The New Jersey Transit bus travels from Montclair down Bloomfield Avenue to Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey. From there another PATH train travels to 33rd Street (note: before September 11, this train used to stop at the World Trade Center). Travel time is 90 minutes, and the cost round trip is $6.10.

Note: this bus takes forever, and this PATH train is also packed--making this possibly the worst of the three--but also the CHEAPEST!

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NEWS FLASH! AS OF APRIL 1st, 2002 THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT FARE GOES UP TEN PERCENT, SO THE TOTAL COST WILL BE $6.40

These trips all take so long, it's a shame that they don't serve a good cup of--


Coffee!

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