Hampton Jitney
Encyclopedia
Hampton Jitney is a for-profit bus company based in Southampton, NY
, operating three primary routes from the East End of Long Island (The Hamptons and the North Fork) to New York City, as well as charter services, along with local transit bus service in eastern Suffolk County under contract with Suffolk County Transit.
Initially the company used vans instead of buses, operating on the theory of a share taxi
service among the little communities of The Hamptons. The company has retained a name which no longer describes its main service and fleet.
The founder saw a need for a new transit option for people travelling between New York City and the popular Hamptons region of Long Island. The area has long been served by the Long Island Rail Road
(LIRR), but by the 1970s poor track conditions on its Montauk Branch
resulted in lengthy trip times and delayed trains. Rebuilding the Montauk Branch in 1978 and 1979 resulted in quicker and more reliable trips, but the non electrified single track line limited train frequency. The LIRR does maintain a number of passing sidings along the Montauk Branch that would allow more frequent service. By the late 1970s Hampton Jitney acquired a fleet of coaches. In the 1980s Hampton Jitney services had expanded to the point where the company runs roughly hourly service year round on its Montauk Line and service between 2 to 3 hours on its Westhampton, and North Fork line. The company also started a charter service during this time.
. This gave Hampton Jitney its third line, The North Fork Line. In 2007 the Jitney (as it is often called) started a direct service to and from Brooklyn on its Montauk and North Fork lines. In 2008 a direct service to and from lower Manhattan was started on its Montauk line. Sunrise Coach lines continues to operate as a provider of School Bus routes and operator for the 8A, 10D, 10E, and S92 routes for Suffolk County Transit, as well as operations of the 10A, 10B, 10C, and S94 lines under its own banner. Hampton Jitney's base of operations and its depot are in Southampton, and it is planning a new depot including a park and ride
lot in Calverton.
Effective with the 2nd round of MTA budget cuts on October, 11, 2010, the Hampton Jitney became the only year round transortation
provider between points in New York City, and the towns between Riverhead, and Orient on weekends and major holidays.
The Montauk and Westhampton lines include a stop near exit 60 of the Long Island Expressway (LIE) for a taxi connection to MacArthur Airport on Long Island.
All lines of the Jitney serve a stop at Queens College
for connections to either of the NYC airports westbound. This stop is in Fresh Meadows for eastbound service.
The company provides refreshment service on all buses. On the Montauk and Westhampton lines, Ambassador Class, a first class type service coupled with a first class Web site where one can reserve seats is offered.
The Jitney has increased the frequency of Ambassador Class service in response to a new competing bus company, Hampton Luxury Liner.
Seasonal services are also offered to Boston and Florida. Most fares are approximately double the usual (off-peak) rail fares. The trip via the Jitney is often quicker by an hour or more, when road congestion is not severe. A prepaid, discounted 12 trip coupon book, called a "Valuepack" is offered and brings the Jitney fares closer to the peak train fare on the South Fork lines, and competitive with train fares at all times on its North Fork line. All buses serve the Upper East Side
of Manhattan and some go also to the West Side.
Hampton Jitney's charter service include one day trips to Broadway Shows, Giant and Jets games at Giants Stadium, and regional events such as the annual Philadelphia Flower Show.
Multiple day trips are also scheduled to points such as Atlantic City, and New England. Civic and Charitable Organizations within the 5 towns of Long Island's east end charter Hampton Jitney
busses for special trips to New York City as fundraisers for these groups. Due to the very limited profile maintained by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) on the east end, it is rare, if ever, that the LIRR is called upon for extra services such as these.
Southampton (town), New York
The Town of Southampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, U.S., partly on the South Fork of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town had a total population of 54,712...
, operating three primary routes from the East End of Long Island (The Hamptons and the North Fork) to New York City, as well as charter services, along with local transit bus service in eastern Suffolk County under contract with Suffolk County Transit.
History
Hampton Jitney was founded in 1974 with a single van by James Davidson, a former advertising art director, who lived in the Hamptons and wanted to establish a convenient means for traveling in the Hamptons, especially for those without a driver's license.Initially the company used vans instead of buses, operating on the theory of a share taxi
Share taxi
A share taxi is a mode of transport that falls between taxis and conventional buses. These informal vehicles for hire are found throughout the world. They are smaller than buses, and usually take passengers on a fixed or semi-fixed route without timetables, usually leaving when all seats are filled...
service among the little communities of The Hamptons. The company has retained a name which no longer describes its main service and fleet.
The founder saw a need for a new transit option for people travelling between New York City and the popular Hamptons region of Long Island. The area has long been served by the Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
(LIRR), but by the 1970s poor track conditions on its Montauk Branch
Montauk Branch
The Montauk Branch is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch runs the length of Long Island, 115 miles from Long Island City on the west to Montauk on the east...
resulted in lengthy trip times and delayed trains. Rebuilding the Montauk Branch in 1978 and 1979 resulted in quicker and more reliable trips, but the non electrified single track line limited train frequency. The LIRR does maintain a number of passing sidings along the Montauk Branch that would allow more frequent service. By the late 1970s Hampton Jitney acquired a fleet of coaches. In the 1980s Hampton Jitney services had expanded to the point where the company runs roughly hourly service year round on its Montauk Line and service between 2 to 3 hours on its Westhampton, and North Fork line. The company also started a charter service during this time.
Later developments
In 2006 Hampton Jitney acquired the line run and charter business from Sunrise Coach Lines, based in Greenport, LIGreenport, Suffolk County, New York
Greenport is a village in Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is located on the north fork of Long Island. The population was 2,048 at the 2000 census....
. This gave Hampton Jitney its third line, The North Fork Line. In 2007 the Jitney (as it is often called) started a direct service to and from Brooklyn on its Montauk and North Fork lines. In 2008 a direct service to and from lower Manhattan was started on its Montauk line. Sunrise Coach lines continues to operate as a provider of School Bus routes and operator for the 8A, 10D, 10E, and S92 routes for Suffolk County Transit, as well as operations of the 10A, 10B, 10C, and S94 lines under its own banner. Hampton Jitney's base of operations and its depot are in Southampton, and it is planning a new depot including a park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
lot in Calverton.
Effective with the 2nd round of MTA budget cuts on October, 11, 2010, the Hampton Jitney became the only year round transortation
provider between points in New York City, and the towns between Riverhead, and Orient on weekends and major holidays.
Routes
Hampton Jitney operates three primary routes.- The Montauk Line serves ManorvilleManorville, New YorkManorville is a census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census.Manorville is served by the Eastport-South Manor Central School District...
, and then the South Fork villages from Southampton to Montauk. A branch of this route serves the village of Sag Harbor either by direct bus service, or via a shuttle from its Southampton base.
- The Westhampton Line serves Manorville, and the villages of WesthamptonWesthampton, New YorkWesthampton is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 2,869 at the 2000 census.Westhampton is in the Town of Southampton.-Geography:Westhampton is located at ....
, The Quogues, and Hampton BaysHampton Bays, New YorkHampton Bays is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 12,236 at the 2000 census.Hampton Bays is in the Town of Southampton.-Geography:...
.
- The North Fork Line, which was inherited from the purchase of Sunrise Coach Lines in 2006, serves the towns and villages from Riverhead to with some buses continuing onto East Marion, Orient, and Orient Point.
The Montauk and Westhampton lines include a stop near exit 60 of the Long Island Expressway (LIE) for a taxi connection to MacArthur Airport on Long Island.
All lines of the Jitney serve a stop at Queens College
Queens College, City University of New York
Queens College, located in Flushing, Queens, New York City, is one of the senior colleges of the City University of New York. It is also the fifth oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning. The college's seventy seven acre campus is located in the heart of the...
for connections to either of the NYC airports westbound. This stop is in Fresh Meadows for eastbound service.
Services
Hampton Jitney buses (not counting the Suffolk Transit-branded buses) require reservations, and limit the use of cell phones.The company provides refreshment service on all buses. On the Montauk and Westhampton lines, Ambassador Class, a first class type service coupled with a first class Web site where one can reserve seats is offered.
The Jitney has increased the frequency of Ambassador Class service in response to a new competing bus company, Hampton Luxury Liner.
Seasonal services are also offered to Boston and Florida. Most fares are approximately double the usual (off-peak) rail fares. The trip via the Jitney is often quicker by an hour or more, when road congestion is not severe. A prepaid, discounted 12 trip coupon book, called a "Valuepack" is offered and brings the Jitney fares closer to the peak train fare on the South Fork lines, and competitive with train fares at all times on its North Fork line. All buses serve the Upper East Side
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between Central Park and the East River. The Upper East Side lies within an area bounded by 59th Street to 96th Street, and the East River to Fifth Avenue-Central Park...
of Manhattan and some go also to the West Side.
Hampton Jitney's charter service include one day trips to Broadway Shows, Giant and Jets games at Giants Stadium, and regional events such as the annual Philadelphia Flower Show.
Multiple day trips are also scheduled to points such as Atlantic City, and New England. Civic and Charitable Organizations within the 5 towns of Long Island's east end charter Hampton Jitney
busses for special trips to New York City as fundraisers for these groups. Due to the very limited profile maintained by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) on the east end, it is rare, if ever, that the LIRR is called upon for extra services such as these.
In popular culture
- In the episode "Twenty-Something Girls vs. Thirty-Something Women" from Sex and The CitySex and the CitySex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
, the four main characters travel to The Hamptons on the Hampton Jitney, where Carrie BradshawCarrie BradshawCarrie Preston is the fictional narrator and lead character of the HBO sitcom/drama Sex and the City, portrayed by actress Sarah Jessica Parker. She is a semi-autobiographical character created by Candace Bushnell, who published the book Sex and the City, based on her own columns in the New York...
described it as "like the bus to summer camp, only instead of singing songs, everyone speaks on their cell phones and ignore each other". In the episode "Running with Scissors", Natasha came home unexpectedly from the Hamptons and said "I took the Jitney home" only to find that Carrie was in the apartment, not her husband. - The book Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin makes a reference to the Jitney when main character Rachael takes it back to Manhattan from the Hamptons because she has to work unexpectedly. Dex, her love interest, offers to drive her, and when he drops her off they make plans to meet during the week.
- In "Summer Kind of Wonderful" from the second season of Gossip GirlGossip Girl (TV series)Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, numerous references to Hampton Jitney are made. In one scene, BlairBlair WaldorfBlair Cornelia Waldorf is the main character of Gossip Girl, introduced in the original series of novels and also appearing in their television and manga adaptations. Described as "a girl of extremes" by creator Cecily von Ziegesar, she is a comical overachiever who possesses both snobbish and...
returns to The Hamptons on the Hampton Jitney and a scene depicts her disembarking the Jitney. In another scene, SerenaSerena van der WoodsenSerena Celia van der Woodsen is a fictional character in the young adult novel series Gossip Girl and its television adaptation. Serena is featured on the blog of the novel series' mysterious "Gossip Girl" narrator...
and DanDan HumphreyDaniel Randolph "Dan" Humphrey is a fictional character in the best selling Gossip Girl book series. He is the main male character in the television series of the same name and is portrayed by Penn Badgley. Daniel Humphrey is the son of Rufus Humphrey and has a younger sister, Jenny Humphrey. His...
have sex in the bathroom on another Hampton Jitney motorcoach.http://tv.yahoo.com/gossip-girl/show/summer-kind-of-wonderful/episode/180319/recap - In "Never been Marcused", also in Gossip Girl's second season, Dan and Serena have a similar encounter on a Brooklyn-bound Hampton Jitney motorcoach, similar to "Summer Kind of Wonderful" encounter. Blair is also on the Jitney in this episode. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266855/synopsishttp://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?nbc1=1&navtyp=CAL341026&ym=200810
- In How I Met Your MotherHow I Met Your MotherHow I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
episode, Ted MosbyTed MosbyTheodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
sent Victoria on board a bus.
Sources
- Transit advocacy for the East End of LI
- Steel Rails to The Sunrise, by Ron Zeil.