Past & Present Members of Wyckoff Van Pool
Carpooling, or vanpooling, is always promoted for it’s benefit to the environment and personal economies. But after 40 years, the story of The Wyckoff Van Pool is best described as a love story.
In the 1960s New Jersey was still in a building boom and the term “open space” had no political connotations. Farms and woods were abundant, and housing developments continued to pop-up across the state. The increase in commuting traffic had led to the opening in 1962 of the lower deck of the George Washington Bridge. The additional six lanes for traffic made it the world’s only 14-lane suspension bridge, providing eight lanes on the upper level and six on the lower deck. Still, carpooling, which had a brief popularity in the 1940s when gas was rationed, was only sporadically practiced
This carpooling love story starts in 1969 when Richard Brady got jilted at the Port Authority terminal and was left standing alone on the platform as the bus pulled away without him. Vowing never again, Richard left the whims of bureaucratic bus drivers behind and never looked back. Taking destiny into his own hands, he organized the purchase of a used Lincoln stretch limo and began what today is known as The Wyckoff Van Pool.
Reunion at Indian Hills
It’s a love story because from the beginning to the present The Wyckoff Van Pool has given its members more than just a convenient commute into New York City. Richard recalls getting calls from women he never met thanking him, “It’s the first time in years we’ve been able to have dinner as a family.” The steady schedule of carpool riders brought stability to homes and allowed for what today we describe as “quality time”. It also brought home family members who were not further drained by fighting the traffic and commute alone. Taking turns, sharing the burden, commuters arrived with a smile rather than a scowl.
It can only be a love story because it’s that emotion which inspires people to drive hundreds of miles for a reunion celebrating a small community of commuters. Similar to long running television shows like M*A*S*H or Law & Order, the faces have changed over the years but the story stays the same. Commuting to NYC, five days a week, year after year. Some members of The Wyckoff Van Pool were knee high when Richard Brady began the carpool, and still students when Frank Monahan joined him twenty years later. It was the recent retirement of Frank that first started talk of a party which evolved into a reunion.
Richard Brady Frank Monahan
“Nobody leaves the van”, was a common refrain heard at the reunion held at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. People either retire or are transfered, but no one leaves because they found a new love. It’s a mix of men and women, young and old, on the van which seats 10 comfortably with a few full or half shares are now available. The van departs from the Wyckoff Park and Ride at Cornerstone Christian Church at 5:50 a.m. and returns at approximately 5:30 p.m., starting from the Grand Central Station area. In the morning, the van makes stops along its regular route between 57th to 42nd Streets along Fifth and Park Avenues. In the evening, the van monitors traffic reports to take the most expedient way home. The monthly fee is comparable to bus fare on the Coach USA line. Commuters over the forty years have come from Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, or other nearby towns. Those interested in experiencing van pool life should contact Diane Sobin at 201 310-7556 for details.
“Unlike riding the bus or train, the van has made the commute actually pleasant for many of us,” commented Franklin Lakes resident Ken Mathieson. “Many of us have become good friends through the camaraderie of the commute. Some like to nap or read, while others chat about business, sports or local news. The van’s seats are large and comfortable. And we’re flexible in the route we take — modifying it based on traffic conditions. And all of us appreciate that we’re being environmentally responsible.”
The old stretch limo which started the carpool may sound romantic, but the modern van used today is much comfortable says recent retiree Frank Monahan. “The administration of the van pool is also much easier now because we lease the year-old vehicle from VPSI, which operates van pools across the country.” The accompanying video, created by the company that The Wyckoff Van Pool uses, succinctly describes the benefits of “van pooling”.