MAHWAH

Mahwah cancels annual bus trip to Manhattan, upsetting senior residents

MAHWAH — The annual Senior Center bus trip to Manhattan next week will be the last, as the township puts an end to its modestly-priced excursions for seniors as of May.

The older residents are not happy with the township's decision and have been meeting with officials to see if the trips can be salvaged.

So far, without success.

"Our trip provider will no longer agree to our original setup of payments regarding busing," Director Susanne Small said Tuesday.  "We also called other bus companies, who will not agree to our terms."

Rochelle Park-based Airbrook Limousine previously handled lunch, ticket and museum entrance fee arrangements for the groups it transported, according to President Jeff Petroski. The township was billed after the trip for the bus expense, which it subsidized.

"In the event of a cancellation, Air Brook has been left with nonrefundable deposits and payments that were not reimbursed to us by the group," Petroski said. "It is not the Mahwah Senior Center that did this, but other groups. This forced us to change our policy regarding the booking of tours and making payments before we are paid."

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Jean Doyle, a member of the Senior Center, has volunteered to take over the complex booking and payment work at no cost. 

"We had no idea Airbrook did the bus and the trip," Doyle said. "We assumed the center staff took the money and did the reservations."

However, similar concerns about being left short have made township officials reluctant to take over those tasks.

"Our chief financial officer does not want to advance pay without evidence of collections, in this instance from seniors," said Mayor John Roth. "The questions become, can or will the Township underwrite costs and recognize the group under our insurance policies."

Small said the center is now working with a newly-opened local tour company to offer trips, as well as notifying members of trips being offered by nearby churches and adult schools. However, Connie Byrne and other members contend the trips are not the same as the $50-$75 prices previously charged for lunch, bus and tickets.

"The cost is about twice what the center would have charged," Byrne said. "In addition, we have to drive to Totowa to get the bus."

Member Pat O'Donnell said seniors want to preserve the members-only flavor of the trips, which is lost when they join tours open to the public.

"This is a social occasion for us," O'Donnell said. "Many of these people have lost a spouse or would no longer go into the city on their own. Riding on the bus we talk and get to know each other."

The township has offered to subsidize one final bus trip into Manhattan on Dec. 11, but seniors must make individual plans for meals and entertainment. Roth said he would be "receptive to any proposal" that meets their internal criteria, but for now sees no path forward.

"The devil is in the details," said Roth.