TRENTON – Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Assemblywoman Nancy J. Pinkin, and Assemblyman Robert J. Karabinchak (all D-Middlesex) issued the following response to a letter received from the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Chairman and Chief Administrator announcing the permanent closure of the MVC’s South Plainfield Agency in May 2017. The legislators are calling for a replacement facility that provides the same level of services in the South Plainfield area.
“I am outraged at the news of the closing of South Plainfield’s motor vehicle agency. The closing will exacerbate resources at the Edison agency site and leave Middlesex County residents facing even greater delays in services,” said Senator Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “It’s disingenuous to suggest that residents will choose to drive to Flemington, Somerville and South Brunswick agencies, when the only alternative location in Middlesex County that offers the same services as South Plainfield is Edison. I can only imagine the lines that will soon be forming at the Edison location. We should be focused on improving services and opening more agencies to offer greater convenience rather than closing them down with no immediate plan for a replacement. Why didn’t the MVC foresee this problem and lease other space in South Plainfield when the landlord refused to renew the lease?”
“I am deeply disappointed on MVC’s decision to shut down their agency in South Plainfield,” said Assemblywoman Pinkin (D-Middlesex). “It was less than a year ago that the Governor visited this facility promising to improve customer service for the residents of our state. Rather than making the changes, his administration has decided to close it and not to help to find a new location convenient for those most affected by this closure.”
“To recommend that the residents of South Plainfield now drive an hour away to Flemington for licenses and car inspections is unacceptable,” said Assemblyman Karabinchak (D-Middlesex). “I cannot support this decision, and I strongly urge the MVC to relocate to another site in South Plainfield. I am more than willing to work with the MVC to help identify possible locations. Permanent closure is not an acceptable solution.”
According to the letter received, the landlord of the property does not wish to renew the lease, which expires on May 31, 2017, to the State of New Jersey, and the state must therefore vacate the property. The closure is set for Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. to allow a smooth transition regarding staff and equipment relocation. The MVC suggested customers visit agencies in Flemington, Somerville and South Brunswick as they are lower volume agencies and would minimize wait times and inconvenience.