By: Michael Mayhew | Publish Date: May 6th, 2026
For many students at Kean University, getting to class can be just as stressful as the class itself. From heavy traffic to unpredictable train schedules, commuting has become a daily challenge that can affect students’ schedules and overall college experience.
As a commuter school, Kean draws students traveling from across New Jersey and surrounding areas. While commuting offers flexibility and allows students to live at home, it also presents challenges such as parking limitations, traffic delays, and inconsistent public transportation.
Some students say their commute depends heavily on timing and daily circumstances. Those who arrive earlier in the day may have an easier experience compared to students with later classes.
“My classes are early, so I get here at a reasonable time and I’m able to find parking well,” said Communications major Ahmaad Robertson. “But I know that other people have trouble finding parking. When the accident happened today, I didn’t get stopped, so it was fine.”
On the morning of April 14, 2026, a car accident occurred on Morris Ave, directly in front of Kean’s campus. The accident injured three children, including one critically. The accident also caused severe traffic on Morris Ave and caused delays for many Kean students.
“Traffic on Morris Ave is really bad, especially after the accident yesterday,” said Jayden Andrews, a media and film major. “There’s barely any parking, and honestly, there are no spaces for commuter students to relax between classes. There should be more parking for students.”
“Traffic on Morris Ave is really bad, especially after the accident yesterday,” Media and Film major Jayden Andrews said. “There’s barely any parking, and honestly, there are no spaces for commuter students to relax between classes. There should be more parking for students.”
For students who rely on public transportation, the experience can be even more unpredictable. Train schedules, delays, and infrastructure changes can all impact how long it takes to get to campus.
“I take the train, and sometimes the schedule changes, so it’s a little weird and affects my commute time,” said Communications major Denny Quinteros. “Because of the new bridge, the train schedule is going to change again in the fall.”
NJ Transit is currently in the process of building a new bridge over the Hackensack River that will help better connect Newark to Penn Station in New York. This new bridge will lead to changes in train schedules. This will largely affect Kean’s students who use public transportation because students will have to adjust their schedules, which can be inconvenient for some students.
These challenges are not uncommon among Kean students. Traffic congestion, limited parking availability, and changes in public transportation schedules can all contribute to delays and added stress. For many students, commuting requires careful planning to ensure they arrive on time for class.
Despite these obstacles, students continue to adapt their routines. Whether that means leaving earlier, adjusting class schedules or finding alternative routes, many have found ways to manage the daily commute. Still, students say that improvements to parking and transportation could make a significant difference in their overall experience.
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