JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND — After three years of pressure from residents in the Journal Square and Jersey Heights communities, the city’s Commerce Department was expected Wednesday night to recommend changes to the Journal Square taxi stand, located on Kennedy Blvd. outside the Journal Square transportation hub.
For three years residents have complained to the city about long taxi lines outside the transit hub that can leave people waiting for a taxi for 30 minutes or longer. The problem is worse in inclement weather.
At present, the city has three “closed” taxi stands at Journal Square, Grove Street, and Exchange Place where only designated, city-sanctioned taxis can pick up passengers. Barna said that 36 taxis are currently designated to pick up passengers at Journal Square.
Commerce Director Paul Barna acknowledged Wednesday that there is a problem and his office will tonight recommend to the City Council that the Journal Square taxi stand be temporarily opened up to other approved cab companies during the evening rush hour through February. Barna said this would be a temporary solution to the long lines at Journal Square and would give the city an opportunity to study what permanent measures the city should take, if any. — E. Assata Wright
After prodding from residents, Journal Square taxi problem to be alleviated
