Hudson County Executive Craig Guy is calling on a team of professionals to “devise a mockup” of bus rapid transit on John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City as the issue could be a critical one in November’s mayoral race.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“ … During my campaign for Hudson County executive, I pledged to lead the efforts to determine the feasibility of Bus Rapid Transit on county roads, including JFK Boulevard. Earlier this year, Hudson County applied to conduct a ‘bus study’ with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority,” Guy said in a statement.
“But I realize an issue like this cannot wait … I have instructed my team to devise a mockup of what JFK Boulevard could look like if Bus Rapid Transit was employed on this major north-south artery. This mockup would allow residents to visualize both the benefits and possible challenges of dedicated bus lanes and how the road would need to function differently to execute this innovative transportation system option.”
The remarks from Guy, also the Hudson County Democratic Organization chair, came after Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop unexpectedly complimented former Gov. Jim McGreevey for a mailer that advocated bringing bus rapid transit to JFK Boulevard.
He went as far as to say McGreevey, who has not been a fan of recently, is currently in the lead in the mayoral race to succeed him, claiming that he will win “unless the other candidates show some vision or courage” on how to lead the city, as HCV first supported.
Guy has endorsed McGreevey for mayor, while Fulop has not picked a side at this time.
The county executive concluded that a bus rapid transit system can only be successful if municipalities, NJ Transit, planning agencies, and advocates all get on the same page.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who said yesterday that McGreevey didn’t even know what Vision Zero was until he started running for mayor, indicated he was happy the plan is moving forward, but feels he’s the only one who can make it come to fruition.
“I’ve been a supporter of adding Bus Rapid Transit to Kennedy Boulevard for years, so I’m glad to see the County Executive make this announcement,” he wrote on X.
“Feasibility studies and mockups are good, but JC residents deserve to see this plan move forward, and as Mayor I’ll make it a priority[.]”
