It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Historic Portland Place in Middletown, NJ gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Middletown, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Poricy Park Nature Center in Middletown, NJ with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Oak & Reed or visit William Murray House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Middletown, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Middletown, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Middletown, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Route 35 — Approximate Site of New MilkShake FactoryGoogle Street ViewA chocolate and milkshake chain with roots stretching back more than a century has set up shop in Middletown Plaza on Route 35, bringing handspun shakes, house-made ice cream and a working chocolate tempering operation to the Jersey Shore. MilkShake Factory is operating in Middletown.A Family-Owned Business The Asbury Park Press reports that the Middletown shop is operating. MilkShake Factory has been family-owned since 1914, accordin...
Route 35 — Approximate Site of New MilkShake FactoryGoogle Street View
A chocolate and milkshake chain with roots stretching back more than a century has set up shop in Middletown Plaza on Route 35, bringing handspun shakes, house-made ice cream and a working chocolate tempering operation to the Jersey Shore. MilkShake Factory is operating in Middletown.
A Family-Owned Business The Asbury Park Press reports that the Middletown shop is operating. MilkShake Factory has been family-owned since 1914, according to ROI-NJ.
The shop sits at 1377 Route 35 in Middletown, inside a storefront that Brixmor Property Group, which manages the plaza, leased to the chain — a deal first reported back in March. At that time, no opening date had been set, per the outlet's reporting. The store is now operating.
Every milkshake at the Middletown location starts with vanilla ice cream made in house, and the shop's lineup spans classic, nondairy, gourmet and signature categories, with signature shakes priced from $6 to $10. The company's own Middletown page touts a Chocolate Dipped Strawberry milkshake alongside non-dairy options and chocolate bark varieties, and notes that the team there is “serving up handspun milkshakes made with homemade ice cream alongside our legacy gourmet chocolate,” per MilkShake Factory.
Beyond shakes, the Middletown shop serves sundaes and a root beer float, and offers nondairy options, plus molten chocolate cups made with fresh fruit, housemade whipped cream and melted milk chocolate. The chocolate side of the business runs through a tempering machine used to melt chocolate for bark and for dipping cake pops, strawberries and cookies, with samples offered in flavors including s'mores, toasted coconut and fudge brownie.
MilkShake Factory's history dates to 1914, and the Pittsburgh-based company evolved from a soda fountain, according to ROI-NJ. Today, the chain offers house-made ice cream and produces chocolate.
Middletown now marks MilkShake Factory's fifth New Jersey location, joining stores in Florham Park, Jersey City, Ridgewood and Somerville. The chain's New Jersey push began last October when it planted its flag in the state with three stores — Jersey City, Florham Park and Somerville — per the ROI-NJ report. A separate account traced the company's first New Jersey store to 177 Newark Ave. in Jersey City, with two more locations described as coming soon as of that March report from nj.com.
The Ridgewood store, part of that same expansion, is owned and operated by franchisees Penn and Tara Miller-Jones, the same ROI-NJ report notes, and the company has said it tries to open its locations in downtown settings.
The shop will host a grand opening event from noon to 4 p.m. on November 14. The shop's giveaway promotion, offering free milkshakes for a year to one winner to celebrate the new location, is restricted to the Middletown store, according to the MilkShake Factory website.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Santa Claus is making his way back to the Jersey Shore, and this time, he’s arriving by ferry!Middletown Township is bringing back its popular Santa Ferry Ride on Saturday, Dec. 5, offering families a festive holiday experience featuring Santa and friends, presents, entertainment and a scenic trip around the Statue of Liberty. Read more??The holiday adventure departs from and returns to the Seastreak Ferry Terminal in Highlands, giving families the chance to enjoy the sights of New York Harb...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Santa Claus is making his way back to the Jersey Shore, and this time, he’s arriving by ferry!
Middletown Township is bringing back its popular Santa Ferry Ride on Saturday, Dec. 5, offering families a festive holiday experience featuring Santa and friends, presents, entertainment and a scenic trip around the Statue of Liberty. Read more??
The holiday adventure departs from and returns to the Seastreak Ferry Terminal in Highlands, giving families the chance to enjoy the sights of New York Harbor while celebrating the Christmas season on the water.
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Every child and infant will receive a holiday present, adding a little extra magic to the yuletide ride.
Three ferry rides will be offered on Dec. 5, with families able to choose from the following departure times:
Tickets are available to Middletown residents at the following rates: $30 for adults ages 18 and older, $25 for children ages 2 to 18, and $5 for infants under age 2.
Advance registration is required, and tickets must be purchased in person. The resident-only presale begins Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at Poricy Park Nature Center, located at 345 Oak Hill Road in Red Bank.
The event will take place rain or shine, and all ticket sales are final.
With holiday entertainment, gifts for the little ones and views of one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks, the Santa Ferry Ride offers Middletown families a festive way to kick off the Christmas season on the water.
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My career has been built on working with opposing lawyers who don’t share my point of view, but I have learned that by listening carefully we can find solutions that work for all sides. That’s the approach I’ll bring to local government — less politics, more problem-solving.Please give some examples of how you think the current Middletown Twp. Committee has failed the public, or not represented them well.The Township Committee has had the same party composition for 15 years, and one-party control ...
My career has been built on working with opposing lawyers who don’t share my point of view, but I have learned that by listening carefully we can find solutions that work for all sides. That’s the approach I’ll bring to local government — less politics, more problem-solving.
Please give some examples of how you think the current Middletown Twp. Committee has failed the public, or not represented them well.
The Township Committee has had the same party composition for 15 years, and one-party control for over 40. When one group holds power that long, accountability fades and complacency sets in. They offer limited transparency and no debate; votes on major issues pass 5-0, and we only find out what the Committee wants us to.
There’s so much to love about Middletown, but we do have issues. Right now, it is the loss of control over zoning and development due to decisions made several years ago to stop working with the state to plan for long-term growth. The Committee decided it would be in our best interests to deal with developers on a “case-by-case basis.” Last year, when you asked me this same question, I cautioned where that would lead us. This year, I can unfortunately say the warnings came true. Look at the 450 units just approved in the most congested section of Rt. 35 by our “Evil Clown.” That is the direct outcome of a decision the Township Committee made years ago, and the losses will continue to happen until the Committee develops a long-term plan for Middletown in compliance with our laws.
Our schools are the backbone of this community, and we continue to have a looming crisis on our hands. I trust the new members of the school board will get back on track and develop an actionable plan to bring our schools to the standards we expect for our town. I will work to ensure the Township Committee is ready to work with the board, offering financial support through shared service commitments.
The captain and crew were not given an alcohol test after a commuter ferry hit a piling Tuesday.MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Commuters who take the Manhattan ferries from Belford say the service has done a nose-dive since NY Waterway took it back over last month.It's gotten so bad that a Middletown woman, who works as a high-ranking attorney in Manhattan (she's an attorney to the U.S. Supreme Court), started this petition asking Monmouth County to give the Belford ferry contact back to Seastreak."My husband and I moved ...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Commuters who take the Manhattan ferries from Belford say the service has done a nose-dive since NY Waterway took it back over last month.
It's gotten so bad that a Middletown woman, who works as a high-ranking attorney in Manhattan (she's an attorney to the U.S. Supreme Court), started this petition asking Monmouth County to give the Belford ferry contact back to Seastreak.
"My husband and I moved to Middletown nearly two years ago, and reliable ferry service to Manhattan was one of the major reasons we chose this community," said the woman, Janine Materna-Schulman. "Since NY Waterway replaced Seastreak at Belford, however, the quality and reliability of the commute has declined significantly. I am now leaving home earlier than I did when Seastreak operated the route, yet I am frequently arriving at work later. In the evenings, I leave work around the same time as before but often arrive home approximately 20 minutes later."
"As a working mother with a baby daughter at home, that lost time matters tremendously," she said.
Materna-Schulman said more than 300 people signed the petition so far, and she plans to present it to the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners next week.
She and other commuters say the 8 a.m. ferry out of Belford "is always late," and there are not as many evening return trips as Seastreak offered. For some reason, the trip into Lower Manhattan even takes longer aboard NY Waterway boats. Also, NY Waterway boats seem older, more rickety and less stable and sturdy compared to Seastreak's rides, which were much more comfortable, say commuters.
People report it's a rougher ride across Raritan Bay on NY Waterway's boats.
“The boats are very rough. It vibrates a lot. I actually have to carry a little towel with me to sit on because the seats are so hard and my lower back kills me and I’m generally in good shape,” one rider told Eyewitness News.
Many passengers complain of severely overcrowded NY Waterway boats, so crowded that people have to stand the entire time, sit on the floor, outdoor roof decks or even crouched on stairs for the roughly one-hour ride into Manhattan.
"The return of NY Waterway has been awful from Day 2," said another passenger. "One ride home, the Molly Pitcher's air conditioning on the upper deck wasn’t working. Guy next to me had an iPhone app that showed it was 98 degrees, and we were all sweating profusely. Deckhands were not permitted to open the doors to allow air flow through. People were openly cursing at the deckhands because it was so uncomfortable."
Things came to a head this week: On Monday, the day before the piling collision, a ferry stopped in the bay off Belford for 10 minutes because of engine problems. A woman stood up and asked people to sign the petition; she was met with claps from commuters aboard the boat.
Then not even 24 hours later, early Tuesday morning, a NY Waterway boat accidentally banged into a piling as it pulled out of the Belford dock. The impact shattered more than 10 windows on board.
But what stunned passengers the most was instead of re-docking and checking for damage, the boat instead simply kept going and raced across the harbor, possibly to get commuters into work on time.
"The most absurd part about it was that they just kept going," one rider told Eyewitness News.
“Everyone just heard 'pop pop pop pop' and looked over and just see the glass shattering all the up the boat falling in the cab and onto the passengers,” said commuter Erika Rech.
She said the passengers were given no explanation as to what had just happened, and crew instead moved everyone to an upper deck as the ferry raced across the bay.
Materna-Schulman's husband, Dan Schulman, asked the U.S. Coast Guard to investigate what happened Tuesday, and how exactly the collision with the piling occurred, NJ.com reported.
“I cannot believe the vessel continued on its way,” he told the news outlet.
He said the captain and crew should immediately have been removed from the vessel and given a drug and alcohol test.
That was not done.
Adam Pockriss, who works for a public relations firm hired by NY Waterway, said the company “provided the Coast Guard with full information regarding the incident.”
He said that after the windows were shattered Tuesday, "no injuries were reported by our passengers or the boat’s crew that required medical attention. Passengers were moved up to the second deck, and the Molly Pitcher safely completed its trip to Manhattan."
Pockriss told Patch NY Waterway hears customers' complaints, and is working to address them, calling them "important issues."
"All issues are being addressed at all levels, corrected, and being closely monitored," he said. "Crowding was due to one of our two large boats, the Betsy Ross, temporarily being out of service. Once the Betsy Ross was put back in service, this was resolved. We were always in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. We have two large 400 passenger vessels dedicated to our Belford service. These are more than adequate to accommodate the number of daily Belford customers."
He also said all NY Waterway boats always have working bathrooms, as one passenger said the bathrooms were not working on one trip.
Some people are begging Middletown Township not to use NY Waterway for its annual Christmas-time boat rides with Santa.
And the parking lot is "always empty" now at Belford because many commuters are driving a little farther to Atlantic Highlands or Highlands, and taking the Seastreak ferries from there, even though Seastreak ferries are more expensive.
Passengers are "willing to pay a few extra bucks for working and reliable boats!" says one passenger. "Who are the folks in Monmouth County that made the decision to give the contract back? Bring back Seastreak!"
Both NY Waterway and Seastreak submitted bids to operate the ferry service out of Belford, after a judge ordered Monmouth County to reopen the bidding for Belford.
The judge said Monmouth County improperly awarded the contract to Seakstreak several years ago.
In August, Monmouth County chose to award the contract to NY Waterway because they offered to run the service for less money; NY Waterway is cheaper than Seastreak.
"SeaStreak provided a level of service that commuters could depend on," said Materna-Schulman. "Their vessels were comfortable, equipped with restrooms, staffed by trained professionals, and consistently punctual. Most importantly, I always felt safe traveling with them. They also had WiFi allowing people to work while commuting. By comparison, NY Waterway feels like a yellow school bus on water — and that’s coming from someone who proudly attended New York City public schools!"
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