The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey signaled it would go ahead with eliminating the carpool discount in January as it expands cashless tolling technology.
For years, commuters have utilized the carpool discount so they would only pay $6.50 at the George Washington Bridge rather than the $15 standard rate. The Port Authority announced in late September that it wanted to cancel the discount.
With the implementation of cashless tolling, officials contend, the discount would not work because toll workers would not be physically present to count how many occupants are in the car.
The cashless tolling system is being installed at the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, for a $240 million price tag. Under the new system, the toll booths would be replaced by mounted cameras which will take a picture of the license plate and either send the bill to the registered owner or deduct the funds from an E-ZPass account, if the owner has one.
Kinga Skora
(201) 939-4242 ext. 131
Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Community Health Center Inc. in Asbury Park is looking forward to working with EZ Ride and using the Ryde4Life program to provide transportation for their clients. VNACJ works with vulnerable populations such as at-risk children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illness. Their mission is to help individuals and families achieve their best level of well-being by providing compassionate, coordinated, innovative care in their homes and communities. Transportation is often a challenge for their clients because their homes are located far from healthcare facilities, and most of them don’t own a car and could not afford to pay for a taxi service. As a result, many do not get to visit a physician until it’s too late.
VNACJ decided to partner with EZ Ride and launch a pilot transportation program. The goal is to provide reliable transportation for their clients, which would help them access healthcare services. Thanks to a grant from New Jersey Health Initiatives, EZ Ride will set up a dedicated transportation account for VNACJ clients using the Ryde4Life program. VNACJ representatives will contact EZ Ride and arrange transportation for groups or individuals in need of transportation.
For more information about the Ryde4Life program please contact:
Barbara Friedman
(201) 939-4242 ext. 223
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In February 2017, EZ Ride took over the township’s senior transportation service. Since then, the door-to-door, reservation-based service has been providing, on average, 700 passenger trips per month. Service is available free of charge for all residents 55 and older, including individuals with disabilities.
The Montclair Township Senior Bus operates five days a week. With our shuttle, you can find something for everyone throughout the week. Trips are provided to access social activities, cultural arts/events, classes, exercise groups, lectures, shopping and doctor appointments.
“I am happy to have extended our contract with EZ Ride because our partnership with them has ensured that the Montclair Senior Bus runs smoothly. And I also know we will receive the data we need to make informed decisions, and I can rely on them to provide us with expert feedback as well,” said Katie York, Director of Senior Services/Lifelong Montclair.
Many senior members are pleased with the service. “Other than much-appreciated availability of the service itself, the “gem” of the service had been the drivers – reliable, courteous, and always on-time,” said Augusta Ellen Madyun.
If your town is interested in learning more the senior shuttle program, please contact:
Kinga Skora
(201) 939-4242 ext. 131
Walk to School Day is an international event celebrated in October each year. Thousands of communities join in with the fun and safe Walk to School Day events that get families, teachers, city staff, and community members walking together while educating children and families about the benefits of walking.
Over 7,500 students from 41 schools in EZ Ride’s service area registered and participated in the event this year on www.WalkBiketoSchool.org website.
The ultimate goal is to develop a walk to school program that is not limited to one day or one event but to create a culture of walking all year round. Farmingdale School in Monmouth County embodies that spirit and encourages its students to walk to school regularly. In addition to celebrating “Walk to School Month” in October and “NJ Bike Month” in May, the school host weekly “Walk to School Wednesdays.” Having an ongoing walking program earned them the Silver Safe Routes to School Recognition Award.
“Walk to School” days are a fun way to encourage and increase the number of students and their parents who walk to school. They help to reduce congestion around school areas, eliminate unnecessary idling of cars, and decreases the potential for crashes between vehicles and pedestrians.
For more information about walking and biking programs, please contact:
Latoya Howard
(201) 939-4242 ext. 122
About six years ago, Harold and his wife Frances moved from Hillsborough to Totowa to be closer to family. Like most of us, Harold always drove to wherever he wanted to go. However, driving in inclement weather posed a challenge, and one day, he barely avoided an accident, and he decided that he was not driving anymore. They used taxis and would often get rides from family members. But taxis were getting more expensive, and they were concerned about being too dependent on family members.
One day in March 2019, they learned about the Ryde4Life program from a social worker at their residence and signed up immediately. They have been using it ever since, especially for medical appointments during the week when their family is at work. Harold said he appreciates that the drivers are reliable, always on time and that they’re “extremely courteous and helpful with his walker” and “it’s like having a personal chauffeur”.
For additional information or to sign up for the program, call:
(866) 208-1307, Option 4
or visit
www.Ryde4Life.orgor visit
Many people with disabilities need specialized transportation. Lack of transportation resources limits their access to work, health care, independent living, and enjoyment of life.
The Flex-T Mobility Partner Program provides transportation for more than 100 Monmouth County residents, with about 15 from Englishtown participate in the program. About a dozen riders have been with us for eight years or more – a testimony to excellent service and the lack of other suitable options. Most of the rides are provided using mini-vans to optimize ridership and reduce travel time. The average trip length is about eight miles and takes about 30-minutes. Unlike older adults, these riders need the service regularly and typically take about 200-300 rides a year.
The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and New Jersey Transit help fund the program. More than 96 percent of the rides are to access training, education, or employment at different locations such as Prime Time Center in Eatontown, Family Resource Associates in Red Bank, Dorbrook Activity Center in Colts Neck, Young Chefs Academy in Morganville, and ARC of Monmouth in Tinton Falls.
For more information about our Flex-T Mobility Partner program, visit our website www.ezride.org or contact:
Barbara Friedman
(201) 939-4242 Ext. 223
In just six months, the number of rides provided to Essex County seniors has more than doubled from 300 to 600 a month. The program was launched by Essex County to augment the county’s paratransit system. It is popular because the riders do not pay a fare, there are no reservation requirements, and they get a personal ride in a Lyft or Uber vehicle.
More than half the riders are from Newark, East Orange, and Irvington, and they also account for about 2,000 of the 3,000 rides provided. Two-third of all the trips are for medical purposes, including dialysis. Most of the riders are women – again about two-third. At an average cost of $16 per trip, the program is very cost-effective compared to paratransit services. The rides are relatively short, about six miles, and take an average of 17-minutes.
The Ryde4Life program is available for all residents in New Jersey, 18 years or older. The service is open seven days a week, and rides can be scheduled between 8 am – 8 pm during the weekday and 8 am – 5 pm on weekends. In addition to Essex County, the Township of Montclair, Affordable Housing Alliance, Ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc., and Asbury Park Alliance provide discounted or free trips.
For more information please contact:
Kinga Skora
(201) 939-4242 Ext. 131
Participation in the SRTS program is a pre-requisite for SRTS Infrastructure grants from New Jersey Department of Transportation. Our Bike and Pedestrian Program team at EZ Ride will work with you to meet the criteria needed to gain recognition and apply for grant funds. We will even help you to submit the online nomination.
The SRTS program cycle runs from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020 so the next deadline is coming up in two months. The program offers a step by step process to support walking and biking in your community.
We can help you on multiple fronts including:
- Strengthening your crossing guard program
- Crafting policies to promote walking and biking for adoption by your municipality and Board of Education (BOE)
- Implementing biking and walking educational programs for kids
- Identifying street infrastructure needs to support safe walking and biking
- Working with local police to encourage safe driver and pedestrian behavior
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Coming Soon – Solicitations for 2020 SRTS Infrastructure Grants
Municipalities will have the opportunity to apply for the federal SRTS Infrastructure Grants in early 2020 that will be administered by the New Jersey Department of Transporation (NJDOT). These reimbursement grants can be used to make streetscape improvements and fix issues to make walking and biking safer.
Typically, applicants will have up to three months to provide the required supporting documentation that includes two resolutions – one each from the school district and the municipality. Since this could involve multiple reviews before the final vote and adoption of the resolution, it would be prudent to start this process early. EZ Ride can provide you with a template to begin the process.
Applicants are also required to submit school travel tallies and letters of support from community organizations. Again, we can provide you with templates for your use.
The following websites provide additional details:
https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/business/localaid/srts.shtm and
https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/business/localaid/documents/SRTSHandbook20185-14-18.pdf
For any additional assistance or questions, please contact:
Lisa Lee
(201) 939-4242 Ext. 123
Thanks to federal funding provided by New Jersey Transit and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), EZ Ride will introduce two new shuttle services in Monmouth County in 2020 – the Sandy Hook shuttle and Hazlet-Holmdel shuttle.
The Sandy Hook shuttle is designed to help alleviate congestion on Route 36 and visitor parking constraints at the beach. The service and will operate between the Middletown train station and Sandy Hook during the summer. Visitors will be encouraged to use the train as a travel alternative, and the station lot as a parking site.
The Hazlet-Holmdel shuttle will link two major transit hubs – PNC Bank Arts Center Park & Ride and the Hazlet train station with major employers in the area. It will reduce the traveler’s need for finding and paying for the limited parking at the train station. The two shuttles could serve residents, commuters, visitors, and local employers such as Bell Works and Bayshore Medical Center. To promote these services, EZ Ride will host information sessions and distribute flyers, press releases, and brochures.
For additional information please contact:
Avnish Gupta
(201) 939-4242 ext. 118
American Dream’s long-awaited opening is now set for October 25, 2019. The newly constructed facility is expected to attract 40 million visitors a year. While many visitors are expected to drive to the facility, others may want to explore public transit options. NJ TRANSIT is hosting two public hearings on October 3 from 5 to 7 pm at the Journal Square Transportation Center in Jersey City and on October 7 from 5 to 7 pm at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack for feedback on the following bus plans.
New bus routes starting October 25:
- Bus No. 355, which will operate daily express service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to American Dream every 30 minutes.
- Bus No. 356, which will operate daily express service every 30 minutes from Secaucus Junction to American Dream.
Expansion of existing bus routes:
- Bus No. 772 has expanded weekend services to operate from Paramus every 30 minutes until 10:30 pm and weekday evening service to operate until 10:20 pm to accommodate those interested in employment at American Dream. This began on August 31.
- Bus No. 119 has expanded Sunday service operating between Bayonne, Jersey City and NYC every hour throughout the day and every two hours during late-night/early-morning hours. This began September 1.
- Bus No. 85, which operates from Hoboken and Union City to Secaucus, began making stops at American Dream on August 31.
- Bus No. 703, which operates from Paterson and Passaic to East Rutherford, began making stops at American Dream on August 31.
All buses will stop at the Meadowlands Racetrack until the new transportation center under construction is completed.
For more information about these services, please contact:
Michael Jensen
(201) 939-4242 ext. 139