Convention Update: Transportation

There are two ways to get from Newark Liberty Airport to the Piscataway Embassy Suites. The first most of you know about from your registration packet: Call State Shuttle at 1-800-427-3207 or reserve online at www.stateshuttle.com. One person one way will pay $45, but that price drops considerably when two or more people reserve for the same destination.

I'm happy to report that there is another way to get from here to there. The free AirTrain (an elevated monorail) stops at Terminal B of Newark Liberty Airport and in 10 minutes will take you to the NJ Transit RR Station, where you will transfer to the NJ Transit train that is bound for New Brunswick. That train ticket is $12.75; senior citizens pay $8.75.

Go to www.njtransit.com for the train timetable. Or call AirTrain: 888-EWR-INFO and NJ Transit: 800-772-2222

Once at New Brunswick, Victory Radio Cabs (732-545-6666) will take you to the Embassy Suites Piscataway for $11-$15 -- and again, that price comes down if you can split it with another person. The cab stand is right downstairs from the train station, in the heart of downtown New Brunswick and the Rutgers University campus. The hotel is a mere 15 minutes away.


For those touring NYC on their own, once again, Victory Radio Cabs can take you from the convention hotel to the train/bus station in nearby New Brunswick.

Once at the downtown New Brunswick train station, you can hop on the NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station (33rd St.) for about $10.50 one way. There are ticket vending machines and ticket clerks on site.

If you want to work out your own itinerary, go to www.njtransit.com and click on Itinerary Planner. Under Departure point, type in New Brunswick RR Station. Choose for your Destination New York Penn (you'll find it on the menu under NYC Landmarks). The system will ask you to choose from several New Brunswick stations; you'll choose New Brunswick RR Station ***Accessible** to New York Penn Station.

If you want to go the bus route, The Suburban Transit Bus Line operated by Coach (not NJ Transit) is your best bet. (The route is Line 100/Main Line New York Express).

The bus stops across from the New Brunswick Train Station, in front of Red's Barber Shop in Ferren Mall -- look for the Rutgers University Book Store, and facing the store entrance it will be a few steps to the right-- you'll see the Suburban Transit Bus Stop sign. Bus Fare is $8.75 one way -- tickets can be purchased at B & M Bagel Shop, right in the Ferren Mall (which isn't a huge indoor mall, but a small series of shops with doors facing the street). And yes, there is a reduced fare for senior citizens.

Go to www.coachusa.com/suburban/ for more information. When entering information under Scheduled Services, choose New Brunswick, NJ for Origin, and New York, New York for Destination. There are buses that stop at Grand Central and the UN, too, but only Monday-Friday, as it is mainly a commuter line. You can also reach Coach/Suburban Transit at 732-249-1100.

(Pictured: McLoughlin Coffee paper doll and cart, circa 1903.)