A newly released township survey on NJ Transit weekend rail service makes one thing abundantly clear: Montclair residents want more trains, shorter waits, and a transit system that better reflects how people actually live in town.
The survey, which gathered resident feedback on weekend rail service and broader transportation habits, found strong support for expanded NJ Transit service into and out of Montclair — particularly on weekends, when many riders say current schedules are too infrequent and unreliable.
For a town with six train stations and a reputation for walkability, many residents said the current system creates unnecessary friction for commuters, families, restaurant-goers, and anyone trying to get to or from New York City without a car.
One of the biggest frustrations highlighted in the survey: long gaps between trains, especially late at night.
That issue came up recently on The Montclair Pod during a conversation with Montclair Complete Streets Director Jacob Nieman, who described how inconsistent weekend schedules often push residents back into driving.
“As someone who has taken the train to New York on the weekends, I know it’s 15 minutes longer to walk to the station, and if I miss the last train, I’ve got to wait two hours,” Nieman said. “That’s a real discouragement from taking the train from a town that has six train stations.”
Instead, he said, many residents simply drive to Newark to catch more reliable service.
The survey also reflects broader concerns about traffic, congestion, parking, and accessibility throughout Montclair. Many respondents indicated that improving public transit could reduce dependence on cars while making it easier for residents and visitors to support local businesses, restaurants, and downtown districts.
Those themes align with many of the transportation conversations currently happening across town — from bike infrastructure and pedestrian safety to downtown walkability and traffic calming.
“Montclair is a great place to be a person,” Nieman said during the interview. “It’s not the best place to be a car.”
The township survey arrives at a time when local officials are increasingly examining how transportation policy affects not just commuting, but economic development and quality of life.
Improved weekend service, supporters argue, could make Montclair more accessible for workers, visitors, and residents alike while reducing traffic and parking pressure in busy commercial areas.
“Any increase in accessibility… means more people have the opportunity to come here, more people have the opportunity to work here, and more people have the opportunity to live here,” Nieman said.
The survey is expected to help inform future conversations between township officials, NJ Transit, and regional transportation planners about possible service improvements.
For now, though, the message from residents appears fairly straightforward: people want a transit system that feels compatible with modern life in Montclair — not one that forces them to constantly check the clock before making weekend plans.
