Klein Bus launches New York City service
Partners with OurBus in wake of Bieber Bus closing
Klein Transportation rolled out bus service to New York City this week, to fill the void left by the abrupt closing Feb. 8 of Kutztown-based Bieber Transportation Group.
Within hours of the announced closing, Klein Transportation said it would begin daily service — in partnership with OurBus — from Berks County to New York City, beginning Monday, Feb. 11. In addition, the companies are offering credit for tickets previously purchased on Bieber Transportation.
Klein and OurBus are operating an introductory schedule that includes two trips into New York City and two return trips daily, with stops in Douglassville, Reading, Kutztown, Wescosville and Hellertown.
Service started as planned on Monday, according to Alison Sherman, vice president of finance for Klein, but the company was forced to cancel the run on Tuesday because of motorcoach bans on area roadways due to the
weather. Service resumed on Wednesday.
Things are going well so far, according to Sherman, who rode along on the bus on Monday, taking the opportunity to talk with passengers. On Wednesday she followed behind the bus, and talked with passengers at each stop.
“I had a lot of people thank me Monday morning. They weren’t sure how they would get into the city and are happy they have a way to get in,” she said, adding that there have already been requests to expand the schedule. “We’re listening to what they have to say. As we see the need, and as those two runs gain more passengers, we can look into expanding the schedule.”
She added that this is a time of transition for riders as they get to know Klein and its service.
Sherman said Klein Transportation learned about OurBus through Klein’s involvement in an industry networking group, and has worked with the company before.
The advantage of OurBus is the technology the company brings to the transportation process, according to Sherman.
Customers can make a reservation using the OurBus app or website, www. ourbus.com/, which ensures a seat on the bus.
“The reservation is then communicated to the dispatch portal and driver portal. As the driver pulls into the pickup location, he pulls up a list of the passengers scheduled to board. It’s a real-time system.”
Sherman added that customers can also be alerted about when their bus will arrive at the stop.
“This system allows people to make reservations up to the last minute,” she said, adding that Klein drivers do not handle money on the route.
The first stop on the new Berks County to New York City route is Klein’s School Bus Lot in Amity, Berks County.
Offering that stop is something the company views as potentially opening a new market — attractive to riders in the Pottstown-area, according to Sherman.
“We’re looking to have this be a long-term solution for Berks and even Montgomery counties. Because of where we are — Montgomery County is right there,” she said. “It might expand the ridership. It’s something we had thought about all along. And it appealed to OurBus, as well.”
On its website, Bieber Transportation indicates that customers can request a refund for purchased tickets by emailing tourways@biebergroup.com.
Klein and OurBus are offering credit through Feb. 25 to those that hold Bieber tickets.
Customers can send a picture of their ticket to pr@ourbus.com to obtain full credit for the ticket. However, they can only use the credit to pay up to 50 percent of each Klein bus ticket.
Bieber Transportation Group announced its closing on the company’s website, citing a decline in ridership.
The company started as a trucking company founded in 1928 by Carl R. Bieber Sr., expanding in 1946 to include charter bus service. Carl J. Bieber Jr. took over in 1976. The company was sold to Steven Haddad in 2001.
“The loss of a great local transportation company is devastating to the local economy including the loss of taxes for not only the borough but also the school district,” said James Schlegel, Mayor of Kutztown. “It affects the convenience of getting to and from Kutztown via mass transportation.”
Klein Transportation has not added service to Philadelphia and Sherman has not said if, or when that might happen.
“We are undertaking to get the New York City run going. We want to make sure when we do things, we do them the right way,” she said.
Tickets for Klein Transportation bus service to New York City can be purchased on OurBus.com or via the OurBus App.
Several other companies are also providing service. TransportAzumah offers two trips daily from Berks County to New York City and two return trips, with stops in Reading and Kutztown. A spokesman said additional trips will be added in March. For schedule information and ticket purchases visit http:// www.transportazumah. com/TAZ2.
Additionally, Clydesdale Bus Lines has announced it will provide bus service from Berks County to Philadelphia starting Feb. 18. For more information visit https://clydesdalebus.com.