October 2025

Dear Friends of EZ Ride,

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved trustee, Richard “Rich” Fritzky. Alongside his dear friend Rich Roberts, Rich co-founded our organization and served as Vice Chair of the Board for many decades.

Rich was a visionary leader and dedicated public servant whose work left a lasting impact on regional transportation, workforce development, and community progress across New Jersey. He served as President of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber for more than 25 years and later continued to guide the Chamber and other regional organizations as a consultant.

His leadership extended to many statewide initiatives, including the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority’s Business Advisory Committee, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Master Plan Review Advisory Committee, the New Jersey State Planning Commission, and the State Employment and Training Commission. He also served as Co-Chair of the 1998 New Jersey Task Force on Adult Literacy and as the first Chair of the York Street Project in Jersey City.

A proud Seton Hall University alumnus, Rich earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science and American Civilization. He later shared his love of learning as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall and Fairleigh Dickinson University, inspiring countless students to lead with compassion and integrity.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rich was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. After overcoming a life-threatening illness and tremendous physical challenges, he became a powerful voice for perseverance, gratitude, and faith. He and his wife, Maggie, are the proud parents of 12 children and grandparents to 31 grandchildren.

Rich’s life was a testament to faith, resilience, and service. We are deeply grateful for his friendship, leadership, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His spirit will continue to guide and inspire all of us at EZ Ride.

Funeral Arrangements
The wake will be held on Friday, October 24th, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at the F. John Ramsey Funeral Home in Franklin.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 25th, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Sparta, followed by a repast from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at the Budd Lake Firehouse in Mount Olive.

With heartfelt sympathy,

 

October 2025

For more than 50 years, the Somerset Community Action Program (SCAP) has been helping residents overcome barriers to economic self-sufficiency through early childhood education, youth development, family support, and community services. Continuing this mission, SCAP has partnered with EZ Ride to expand access to reliable transportation through the EZ Ryde4Life program — addressing one of the community’s most persistent challenges.

For many Somerset County residents, dependable transportation is the key to achieving independence, employment, and stability. Through this partnership, SCAP offers free rides for its members, enabling them to attend job training programs, medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential destinations.

“EZ Ryde4Life has been a game-changer for our clients,” said Natalia Rodriguez, Case Worker at SCAP. “Transportation is often one of the biggest barriers they face, and this program provides the freedom and reliability they need to access work, medical care, and other essential services. It directly supports our mission of helping individuals achieve greater stability and independence.”

While most trips occur within Somerset County, EZ Ryde4Life’s flexibility allows riders to travel across New Jersey — a vital benefit for those who need specialized care or opportunities beyond their local area.

Operating statewide, EZ Ryde4Life can be customized to meet the transportation needs of low-income individuals, families, and seniors in communities throughout New Jersey. The partnership between SCAP and EZ Ride demonstrates how equitable, affordable mobility can transform lives and strengthen community well-being.

For more information on how EZ Ryde4Life can support your organization or clients, contact Kinga Skora at [email protected] or call (201) 939-4242 ext. 131.

October 2025

EZ Ride commends the City of Asbury Park for its proactive efforts to enhance street safety for everyone — especially those who bike, scoot, or skate.

With the rise of micromobility options like e-bikes and scooters, Asbury Park has prioritized safety by installing buffered and parking-protected bike lanes along Asbury Avenue (County Rt.16) from Main Street to Heck Street.

Installing bike lanes on a county road is a significant achievement and the new bike lane now creates a continuous route connecting the existing bike network from the beach area to Main Street. These lanes calm traffic, reduce speeding, and provide safer spaces for riders and drivers to share the road.

To complement this effort, EZ Ride partnered with the City to deliver road safety education for residents of all ages. The sessions teach riders about safe practices, New Jersey laws, and proper maintenance — followed by hands-on skill classes to build confidence on the road.

“Road safety is a top priority in the city of Asbury Park. No community wants to experience a crash or fatality of any road user. We want all forms of transportation vehicles to be safely utilized within our city. Best practices such as buffered bike lanes and formal education are a great opportunity for everyone to share the road safely”.  James Bonanno,  Director of Transportation, City of Asbury Park

The use of micromobility devices is expected to grow. Infrastructure changes and continued education will benefit users of all ages, especially in communities that offer bike or scooter sharing programs.

To learn how EZ Ride can help your community improve micromobility safety, contact [email protected] or call (201) 939-4242, Option 3.

October 2025

EZ Ride congratulates the Belleville Public School District for taking a bold step toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. The District is installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers at all ten of its school buildings — from Preschool to High School — making workplace EV charging a reality for staff and visitors alike.

This achievement was made possible through two key funding opportunities:

The District has selected an engineering firm to install the dual-port chargers. These initiatives helped Belleville earn the Silver-Level Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Certification, a recognition of the District’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

“Technical assistance from EZ Ride was critical in our decision-making process and allowed us to plan for the deployment of EV charging at all 10 schools with minimal cost to our district,” said Erick Alfonso, Superintendent of Schools, Belleville Board of Education. “This project is one of many ways we’re demonstrating leadership in renewable energy and electric vehicle support for our staff and community.”

Belleville’s active Green Team continues to champion environmental initiatives, encouraging clean commuting options for the teachers and staff who travel from across New Jersey to educate the next generation. By investing in workplace EV charging, the District promotes affordability, accessibility, and equity—ensuring that clean transportation is within reach for all.

To learn more about EV charging opportunities for schools, join us for a free webinar, “Powering EV Charging for K-12 Schools,” on Wednesday, November 12 at 2:00 PM.

Register today or contact us at [email protected] or (201) 939-4242 (Option 6) for more information.

September 30, 2025

NJ TRANSIT has announced a significant increase in its monthly vanpool subsidy—from $175 to $400 per month for all eligible vanpools. This new higher subsidy replaces the previous two-tier arrangement, which included a separate incentive for vanpools using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Moving forward, there will be a single, more generous subsidy rate, allowing commuting groups to save substantially more each month.

Subsidies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and all vanpools must apply to participate. Currently, 68 vanpools benefit from NJ TRANSIT’s program. The increased funding will cover up to 83 vanpools, with additional applicants placed on a waiting list until more funds become available.

How the Program Works

To qualify, commuters must lease a van through an approved NJ TRANSIT provider. After leasing, riders share expenses such as lease payments, fuel, tolls, and parking—significantly reducing individual costs. Vanpools succeed when participants coordinate effectively:

Why Vanpooling Is Smart

Vanpooling is especially cost-effective for one-way commutes of 40 miles or more, but shorter trips also qualify. Besides financial savings, vanpooling brings several advantages:

EZ Ride supports commuters at every stage—from forming groups and submitting subsidy applications to guidance on annual renewals. With NJ TRANSIT’s new, higher subsidy, now is an excellent time to discover vanpooling as an affordable, environmentally friendly way to travel.

For help starting a new vanpool, contact Kinga Skora at [email protected] or 201-939-4242 Ext. 131.

September 30, 2025

Congratulations to the Borough of Garwood for launching a temporary demonstration project designed to show how redesigned streets can improve pedestrian safety and reduce speeding.

Under the leadership of Mayor Jennifer Blumenstock, Garwood held a design contest this spring at the Elementary School to gather ideas. The winning theme—flowers—became the centerpiece of the project.

On June 21, Borough leaders, community volunteers, and EZ Ride partnered to create colorful, temporary curb extensions at Center Street and Willow Avenue. Local police closed the street to traffic while two five-foot curb extensions were installed with the approval of the Borough engineer. Reflective foil tape marked the new extensions, and stencils were used to paint bright purple, orange, yellow, and pink flowers on a sky-blue background. The vibrant designs, along with traffic delineators, now help slow turning vehicles, prevent illegal corner parking, and shorten crossing distances for pedestrians—making the intersection safer for everyone.

“The curb extension demonstration project was a tangible way to show our residents how we can improve safety by just slightly changing our street infrastructure. It allowed us to really elevate the idea that these types of measures can make a difference in the lives of pedestrians and cyclists,” said Mayor Jen Blumenstock.

Project supplies were provided by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the Borough of Garwood, while EZ Ride coordinated the effort. A community survey is underway to gather feedback.

EZ Ride congratulates the Borough of Garwood for its successful implementation and commitment to safer streets for people walking, biking, and riding. If your community is interested in a demonstration project, EZ Ride can help—at no cost. Contact us at [email protected] or call 201-939-4242, option 3.

September 30, 2025

Isles, a nonprofit based in Trenton, NJ, reached a significant milestone by earning Gold and Platinum Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) certifications for its Mill One and Perry Street sites in August.

Isles installed six public EV charging stations to address a key barrier to EV adoption: convenient access to charging. Revenue from the stations is reinvested in Isles’ sustainability initiatives, helping ensure long-term impact.

“EVAL certification helped us support our employees to make green travel choices. We conducted staff listening sessions and sent surveys to identify commuting barriers, which resulted in workplace charging, internal incentives for EV adoption, and education about sustainable options. Our Center for Energy and Environmental Training equips staff and local residents with the skills needed for careers in clean energy and transportation.”

–       Ben Haygood, Director of Policy and Partnership, Isles

Isles has also gained national recognition for its innovative, community-based mobility solutions. Through its GoTrenton! e-mobility pilot, Isles launched the city’s first subsidized electric rideshare service, designed to connect residents with jobs, healthcare, and essential services. This program also tackles a local public health challenge: childhood asthma rates in Trenton are four times higher than the county average. By providing sustainable transportation options, Isles is helping reduce reliance on polluting vehicles while advancing Trenton’s environmental and health goals.

EZ Ride congratulates Isles on its EVAL certifications, which highlight leadership in sustainable commuting, workplace EV charging, and advancing access to electric mobility in Trenton.

If your community is interested in earning EVAL certification or improving access to clean transportation, please contact EZ Ride at [email protected] or 202-939-4242 option 6. We provide free technical assistance with EVAL certification and EV charging at multi-unit dwellings or workplaces.

September 30, 2025

On September 25, 2025, EZ Ride celebrated the achievements of schools, municipalities, and businesses at its Annual Awards Luncheon, honoring those who have shown exceptional leadership in promoting safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation initiatives.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Awardees

This year, the SRTS program recognized 224 award recipients, including 77 municipalities and 147 schools. Throughout the year, these partners collaborated with EZ Ride to host over 800 safety-focused events, reaching more than 44,000 participants across Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Passaic, and Union counties. Notably, 67% of awardees represented disadvantaged communities.

Activities ranged from safety presentations and community audits to bike skill classes, poster contests, and walk/bike-to-school days. Many communities have made SRTS activities a staple in their annual event schedules. SRTS recognition extends beyond accolades—top-tier awardees achieve Sustainable Jersey certification, qualify for mini-grants, and gain a stronger position when applying for infrastructure grants like Safe Routes to School and Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside via the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Awardees

EZ Ride also recognized 120 worksites with Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) awards, celebrating their commitment to sustainable transportation. EVAL is a workplace EV charging certification program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The program assists employers in advancing clean transportation for employees with initiatives such as EV charging, carpooling, biking, public transit options, and incentives for sustainable commuting.

Honoring Legacy and Individual Excellence

A special moment at the luncheon honored Kent E. Hansen, a beloved EZ Ride Trustee and legal advisor whose wisdom and generosity helped guide the organization. The new Kent E. Hansen Friends of EZ Ride Award will annually recognize individuals who exemplify his spirit of kindness and service.

This year, William M. Yarzab, Senior Planner at the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), received the inaugural Kent E. Hansen Friends of EZ Ride Award for his work advancing pedestrian and driver safety through the Street Smart NJ program. Michael L. Hornsby, Chief Project Development Officer at the NJ Board of Public Utilities, was also honored with the Champion for Change Award for his leadership in electric vehicle safety and first responder education.

Program Presentations and Inspiration

Attendees enjoyed presentations from Michael Vieira (Essex County Special Transportation Services), Mayor Shelley Brindle (Westfield Sustainability), and Martin Ceperley (SOMa Bike Bus co-founder), each providing inspiration and practical insights into advancing safe, sustainable, and innovative transportation solutions.

EZ Ride congratulates all award recipients and invites additional organizations to participate in future programs and recognition opportunities. To access presentation slides, videos, or event photographs, please visit our event page.

For more information about Safe Routes to School (SRTS), Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL), or the awards process, contact [email protected] or call 201-939-4242, ext. 3.

EZ Ride invites you to our Annual Recognition Event on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ. This special occasion honors schools, municipalities and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing mobility, safety and sustainability in our communities.

This year, we are proud to recognize outstanding organizations in the following categories:

A complete list of all Safe Routes to School Awards is available online at saferoutenj.org.

In addition to organizational awards, we will also present individual honors:

The event will begin with a buffet lunch, providing an opportunity for networking and a video tribute to this year’s awardees. Afterwards, attendees will enjoy presentations from three featured speakers sharing impactful programs in their communities:

Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements and dedication of our partners. Please note that seating is limited to two attendees per organization. Register by September 10 to secure your spot.

REGISTER NOW

 

August 2025

The Essex County Division of Family Assistance & Benefits (DFAB) provides critical support to families and individuals facing financial, medical, and housing challenges.

Through programs such as Work First New Jersey Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Work First New Jersey General Assistance (GA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and New Jersey FamilyCare (NJFC), DFAB connects residents with resources designed to promote stability, independence, and self-sufficiency.

DFAB has partnered with EZ Ride to launch a pilot transportation program using the EZ Ryde4Life service, which provides our Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) clients rides using transportation providers like Lyft and Uber. WFNJ clients that meet special eligibility criteria will be able to get safe and reliable rides through EZ Ride for immediate needs services.

“Transportation can be a major hurdle for our WFNJ clients,” said Uchenna Duru, Fiscal Analyst at DFAB. “The EZ Ryde4Life program helps bridge that gap by providing dependable rides for emergency assistance services determined by Essex County Division of Family Assistance & Benefits. The flexibility in scheduling and the detailed monthly reporting from EZ Ride will help us administer the program efficiently. We look forward to this partnership.”

EZ Ride shares that commitment. “At EZ Ride, we believe transportation is essential to quality of life,” said Krishna Murthy, CEO of EZ Ride. “We are pleased to work with Essex County DFAB to provide safe, affordable, and reliable rides for those who need them most.”

This initial pilot will allow DFAB and EZ Ride to evaluate the program’s impact and explore ways to expand transportation access for more Essex County residents in need.

Interested in creating a similar transportation program for your community? Contact Kinga Skora at [email protected] or call 201-939-4242 ext. 131 for details.