BAYONNE – An investigation by the Bayonne Fire Department found the fire that engulfed a jitney bus on Second Street and JFK Boulevard on Saturday, October 29, was likely due to an electrical malfunction. The bus was heading southbound on JFK Boulevard while occupied by a driver and two passengers when the driver noticed smoke coming from the rear of the bus and pulled over. The two passengers then exited while the driver attempted to extinguish the fire to no avail, culminating in a large blaze that left nothing but the frame and engine compartment. The exact source of ignition remains unknown due to the amount of fire damage to the bus.
The fire comes a couple of weeks after a jitney bus struck and killed an 11-year-old in Jersey City, prompting a legislative response from Assemblyman Nicholas Chiavaralloti who introduced a bill to the State Assembly that would further regulate the privately-owned commuter shuttles by requiring the vehicles to be registered with and receive approval from each municipality in which they operate.
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