SJTA’s Community Shuttles Expand Access to South Jersey Employers
Shuttle Routes Funded in Part by Transportation Plus Grants From The Pascale Sykes Foundation to Provide Low Income Families with Needed Transportation to Work
(VINELAND, NJ – March 19, 2018) – Over the past five years the public transportation network of South Jersey has quietly been expanding. South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) began service on three shuttle bus routes – the English Creek-Tilton Road, Rt. 54/40 and Pureland East-West Community Shuttles. These routes have filled gaps in the public transit network, providing underserved communities with reliable transportation to work.
SJTA plans the service to be efficient and flexible, responding to the shifting needs of the community. The shuttles handle approximately 6,000 passenger trips each month. Fares are kept low, providing an economical means of transportation for lower income residents and others who may not have access to a car. Shuttle services connect to NJ TRANSIT bus or rail service, expanding employment access throughout the South Jersey region. Free transfers between the shuttles and NJ TRANSIT services are provided.
All three community shuttles were planned and developed through a private/public partnership that included SJTA, NJ TRANSIT, Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association, United Way of Gloucester County, local social service providers and community groups, as well as Atlantic County and Gloucester County governments. They were brought together by the Pascale Sykes Foundation, a private foundation that supports initiatives that assist lower income working families. The Pascale Sykes Foundation recognized that access to reliable transportation is often a significant barrier to stable employment and economic opportunity for working families in a car-dependent environment like South Jersey. The shuttle services are funded through grants from the Pascale Sykes Foundation and NJ TRANSIT.
The English Creek-Tilton Road Community Shuttle began operation in October 2012. It serves over 5,000 households and 400 businesses in Northfield and Egg Harbor Township, including the AtlantiCare Health Park. The route recently expanded to include the newly constructed Oak Tree Plaza in Egg Harbor Township. This 35-acre retail center promises to bring over 400 jobs to the community and features a Walmart Supercenter. The shuttle also connects to NJ TRANSIT’s 502, 507, and 509 bus service, providing access to destinations throughout Atlantic County. Service is Monday through Saturday and costs $1 per ride.
The Pureland East-West Shuttle began operation in May 2015. In addition to the Pureland Industrial Complex, a 3,000-acre planned industrial park in Logan Township, the shuttle provides access to other sizable employers, such as Rowan University, Eastern Pro-Pak and Liscio’s Bakery in Glassboro. The Pureland Shuttle connects with 11 NJ TRANSIT buses spreading access to the wider region. Due to the size of Pureland, an “internal circulator” bus provides demand responsive service to get employees that last mile between work and the bus stop located just outside the complex. Riders simply tell the bus driver where they need to go and the driver develops an efficient route on the y, rather than travelling along a circuitous pre-planned route. This flexibility is a must when serving a unique complex such as Pureland, where shift times are variable and job locations disperse. An estimated 40% of Pureland East-West ridership utilize the internal circulator as well. The service operates Monday through Friday and is $1 per ride.
The Route 54/40 Community Shuttle began service in January 2016. The shuttle serves the communities of Buena Vista, Collings Lakes, Folsom Borough, Hammonton, Landisville, Minotola, Newtonville, and Richland. Ridership has steadily grown, doubling between 2016 and 2017. The shuttle service connects to NJ TRANSIT’s 553 and 554 bus routes and AC Rail service. The Rt. 54/40 Community Shuttle operates Monday through Friday and is free, bene ting some of the county’s lower income communities that previously had limited or no public transit options.
More information regarding the shuttles can be found at Cross County Connection’s website www.driveless. com. You can also contact Cross County Connection TMA at 856-596-8228 to inquire as to how these shuttles, public transit or options such as carpooling and vanpooling can help your company reliably get your employees to work. Cross County Connection can also provide trip planning assistance for employees on any shuttle or public transit service in the region. They are eager to help!
