Clark - Commute to NY Port authority and School Rating (Newark: transfer, high school)

[vbabaria]

I am thinking to move to Clark, NJ and looking for following info abt the town

1. I know NJ Transit bus goes to NY port authority but is there any shorter commute options other than park and ride from Rahway train station to 33rd (changing trains at Newark)? - may be if i park close to Garden State Pkwy exit and cut some commute time but don't think bus goes from GSP and that's why it takes long time to go to Port authority

2. How are school ratings (elementary and high school)? I have a two yr old daughter

3. Also are the rumors true abt some racism in Clark?

Appreciate any pointers on this

Thank you in advance

[captne76]

Clark is a suburban type place. Train and bus routes, fares and schedules can be found on the NJ Transit website.
You might be equidistant from several diff train stations so you may have to explore what works best.
By changing trains at Newark, do you mean to the PATH? because from Rawtown, oh that's what I nickname Rahway those trains continue straight into NY Penn. The Raritan Valley line trains like Westfield, Cranford, Roselle Park end at Newark where you switch trains or catch a PATH.

I have no knowledge o the school system ratings there but I bet you could easily find that online.

I have never heard of any racism rumors there, not more than anywhere else in the USA.
I don't think much outright racism exists anywhere anymore except in the court system of the USA and that's more like economic racism where they are looking to extract a person's money.

[captne76]

Well it looks like the reason the 112 bus from Clark to NYC takes over an hour is because it takes local streets through Clark, Roselle and Elizabeth before it gets on the NJ YankMyCrank (TurnPike) at exit 13A.

The route map is on the second page of this schedule: http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0112.pdf

It also passes the Eliz and North Eliz train stations on the way.

[vbabaria]

Thank you vm for the quick response
Yes I saw 112 schedule and map as well but since it is local route, it takes a while to go to Port Authority... is there a faster way?

By train, i think i will have to change from newark to 34th Penn or take path from Newark to General square and then 33rd... too many stops (or I am asking too much but i am trying to reduce commute time to 1 hr if possible)

Thanks again

[captne76]

Well from Newark Penn the NJ transit train continues straight on to NYC Penn so you can stay on the train if you want right to NYC. That is unless its a Raritan Valley line train in which case you transfer.

The PATH line is a separate system, runs from Newark to World Trade in downtown NYC and if you want to get uptown you change at Journal Square in Jersey City.

PATH takes a bit longer because of the stops along NJ and 6th Ave but its a slight bit cheaper, I think $1.50, maybe. I don't keep up with the fares I remember when it was like 50 cents, lol.

So the NJT train goes directly into NYC Penn maybe 1 stop at that Frank Fossilberg station near the Meadowlands. If you want the PATH you get on at Newark and take that instead.

PATH goes as far as 33rd St by Herald Square, about 1 block away from Empire St Bldg. while Penn station in NY is a block further west.

Here's the PATH map, you would be getting on the line in red then switching to the one in yellow:
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - PATH

Oh and I see it's $1.75 now.

[vbabaria]

Thanks so i guess other than NJ transit bus and trains (with or without path), there is no other faster way of commute to NY port authority.

Since i walk around 12-15 minutes from port authority, I am exploring all other options before I think abt moving to Clark

Regards

[captne76]

Not unless you can figure taking the train to Newark, then the direct PATH to World Trade, than a NYC subway to where you work. Don't know if that would be quicker but might be, or less train changes.

[vbabaria]

May be i will try parking at Newark pen station for less train change and save some time

Thank you vm

[captne76]

That is doable. Also IF you are interested in only the PATH train, many people park across the river from Newark Penn near the Harrison station, where there are many lots either weekly or daily. Sometimes I have driven to Journal Square, its a tall building that has a parking garge attached to the back of it, but that is closer to the city.
Harrison is right over a short train bridge from Newark.
I have left my car parked on the street near Newark Penn at night to go to meetings in the city a few times.