What would happen if a legislative hearing about NJ Transit rail issues was held at a place that isn’t in walking distance of a train station?

That’s the situation with a hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Morris Township Municipal Building on Woodland Avenue, which isn’t in walking distance from the Convent or Morristown train stations. But there is a good reason for it, and a solution for those taking a Morris & Essex line train to the hearing.

The two nearest train stations to this hearing don’t have much room for crowds. Capacity at both is under 100 people, said Bruce Sisler, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco’s chief of staff. Convent Station, the larger of the two, holds 70 people, and officials were concerned what would happen to an overflow crowd if there was bad weather, he said.

Morris Township’s municipal building holds 200 people and the location wasn’t thought to be an issue since many Morris & Essex line commuters drive to the train stations, he said.

It is the last of a series of legislative hearings held with Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti and NJ Transit Executive Director answering questions from commuters.

“The location of the listening session was selected by the local Legislative Delegation, in consultation with NJ Transit,” said Stephen Schapiro, a Department of Transportation spokesman.

Fortunately for riders, the township and Lackawanna Commuter Coalition are helping them cover the distance between Convent Station and the meeting. Two van shuttles will be operated, leaving Convent Station at 5:45 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. Return shuttles leave town hall at 7:10 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“There’s going to be a hearing … in a place that isn’t transit accessible, one and a half miles from Convent Station and there are no sidewalks,” said David Peter Alan, Lackawanna Coalition chairman.

Alan thanked Morris Township Councilwoman Cathy Wilson and Administrator Tim Quinn for providing the vans “so people will be able to get there on the train.”

Previous hearings have been well-attended at the Westfield train station and Atlantic City rail terminal.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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