Easy Rides on Demand

How to Select a Shuttle Service Provider?

Safety and reliability are the two most important factors to consider while choosing a shuttle service provider. Here are some questions to ask about vehicles, drivers and the organization itself when shopping for a shuttle service.  The price of service is important but should not be the primary yardstick used to select a provider.

The Vehicle

  1. What is the average age of the vehicles in the fleet? Most of the vehicles that are used for shuttle services have a limited life-span of three to five years or about 150,000 miles per vehicle. An aging fleet is less reliable.
  2. What level of insurance does the provider carry? New Jersey requires a minimum $1.5 million of insurance. However, to deal effectively with the outcomes of a catastrophic accident it would be prudent to have coverage of $5 million or more.
  3. How much of the fleet is kept in reserve? A useful rule of thumb is that 20 percent of vehicles should be held in reserve to deal with emergencies and regular maintenance.
  4. Do the vehicles have the latest technology? Vehicles should be equipped with GPS and in-vehicle cameras which document driving safety and provide video footage in the event of an accident. Additionally, it confirms on-time performance.
  5. How are vehicle inspections handled? The provider should inspect each vehicle at the beginning and end of each shift that the vehicle is operated. New Jersey Department of Transportation inspections should be performed according to schedule.

The Driver

  1. How are drivers selected and trained? Shuttle drivers should have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with passenger endorsement, a clean driving record and a minimum of two years of experience.
  2. What is the drug and alcohol policy? The provider must strictly follow a policy that complies with the Federal Transit Administration guidelines. All drivers must be tested as specified, including random tests.
  3. How many drivers are there? The operator should have sufficient back-up drivers available at all times to deal with contingencies.
  4. How are the drivers monitored? Every driver’s performance should be reviewed periodically. Based on the results, they should be briefed throughout the year to improve their driving skills.
  5. What is the driver turnover rate? There is an acute shortage of CDL drivers and turnover is high. However, it is a cause for concern and the provider should be asked to explain it.

The Company

Beyond the driver and the vehicle, it’s important to confirm the following about the shuttle service provider.

  1. Safety Rating: Check the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Safety Administration safety rating if it is an inter-state provider.
  2. Customer Service: The provider must have established protocols for communicating with riders directly and dealing with customer service complaints including time frames for corrective action.
  3. Field Inspections: Field staff is crucial to physically monitor on-time performance, driver safety, and gather direct feedback from riders regarding the quality of service.
  4. Federal Funding: Organizations that receive federal funding are held to a higher standard and are subject to audits and inspections. In addition, this brings down the cost of the shuttle program for you.

Once these criteria have been examined, then the price of the shuttle should be considered.

New Jersey Mandates Pre-tax Transit Benefits for Businesses with 20 or More Employees

According to the U.S. Census, in 1990 the average commute time was less than 22 minutes. Today, Americans spend just over 26 minutes commuting to work each way.

These four extra minutes spent on commuting equates to eight minutes a day (4 x 2) round trip, 40 (8 x 5) additional minutes each week and 2,080 (40 x 52) extra minutes of commuting each year. This means that commuters now are spending 34.6 more hours in transit — a whole work week — than workers in the 1990s.

One study found that adding 20 minutes to your commute makes you as miserable as taking a 19 percent pay cut. Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman and economist Alan Krueger once surveyed 900 people and found that commuting was their least favorite activity of all, behind work, child care, and home chores.

“Commutes can have a major impact on morale and, ultimately, an employee’s decision to stay with or leave a job,” Paul McDonald, senior executive director for the staffing agency, Robert Half said in a statement. “In today’s candidate-driven market, skilled workers can have multiple offers on the table. Professionals may not need to put up with a lengthy or stressful trip to the office if there are better options available.” To help ease commuting woes, companies can offer remote work options, flexible scheduling or transportation amenities such as pre-tax transportation benefit.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S1567 into law, requiring employers of 20 or more employees to offer a pre-tax transportation fringe benefit to their employees, covering commuter highway vehicle (vanpools) and mass transit costs. This mandate does not include parking.

The pre-tax benefit would allow employees to set aside a certain amount of pre-tax income for transportation services to and from work.  New Jersey is the first state to mandate this benefit to employees.

Governor Murphy stated, “Providing this pre-tax benefit to commuters throughout our state will reduce the financial burden of fares and parking costs, resulting in significant savings.”

The new law will take effect on March 1, 2020, or the effective date the regulations are adopted by the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development – whichever is earlier.  Employees found noncompliant may be assessed a civil penalty of $100 to $250 for the first violation, and then an additional $250 penalty each additional 30-day period the employer is noncompliant.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce will adopt rules and regulations concerning the administration and enforcement of the pre-tax benefit.

For more information please visit www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/945066

or contact:

Avnish Gupta

(201) 939-4242 ext. 118

[email protected]

Walk this Way…to Stay Safe & Healthy!

May 31, 2016

EZ Ride’s  Safe Routes to School team visited the Amerigo A. Anastasia Elementary School on May 17th and May 18th and the Gregory Elementary school on May 23rd , 26th and 31st in Long Branch.  We met with 242 1stand 2nd graders to teach them about Pedestrian Safety during 10 PE classes.

Walking was introduced as a good and healthy way to begin each school day.  Kids were informed they need 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity to maintain their weight and stay healthy.  They were encouraged to see walking to and from school as a fun and easy way to get part of that daily exercise.    We shared that walking can be fun because it’s something that can be done with parents and siblings and it‘s a chance to talk with friends.   We taught kids that pedestrians are anybody who uses the sidewalks or roads to travel. In other words, pedestrians can be joggers, bicyclists, roller skaters, people in wheelchairs, or those who use skateboards or hover boards.

The Safe Routes to School team also shared research findings that students who start the day with at least 20 minutes of exercise do well in school because they are fully awake and they have better concentration, memory, and perform better on tests.

Students were taught the four basic rules for walking safety using a colorful and child-friendly visual presentation. These rules are:

  1. Stop…completely at street corners and stay on the sidewalk.
  2. Look…at pedestrian traffic signals to see if it is ok to cross. Look left, right and left again before crossing.  Look at stopped drivers and make eye contact to make sure they are aware you want to cross the street.
  3. Listen…to make sure it is safe and no emergency vehicles or speeding cars are coming.
  4. Think…about how to stay safe. This could include dressing in bright colors to be seen, using crosswalks, obeying signals and traffic laws. Watch out for friends to make sure they are safe too.

Last, we got the kids up to practice the lessons on a mini roadway and get some of their daily physical activity. Kids were shown a “do not cross” (red hand) signal and asked what to do.  They knew the right answer was to stop on the corner and wait.  Then when the signal changed, they were reminded to look both ways, listen, make eye contact with drivers, and think about if the situation was safe.  When they felt comfortable that it was safe, the students crossed the pretend street in the crosswalk.  Then as a large group, we all got up to exercise.  We speed walked, skipped, jogged and hopped around the gym several times and each time we stopped at the crosswalk to practice looking both ways before crossing.

For more info about the Safe Routes to School team at EZ Ride/Meadowlink, please contact Lisa Lee at 201-939-4242 or [email protected]. We serve schools and towns in Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Passaic and Union Counties.

400 Students Learn the ABCs of Biking Safety at Three Schools in Long Branch

July 27, 2016

During May and June, over 400 students in grades 3-5 learned the ABCs of biking safety at the Amerigo A. Anastasia School (AAA), the Gregory School, and the George L. Catrambone School (GLC) in Long Branch.  EZ Ride’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) team made Bike Safety Presentations (BSPs) at these three elementary schools to encourage and teach students how to safely bike to and from school.

Children learn the alphabet and their ABCs in school and these are considered the building blocks that are essential for successful reading.  In the same way, children who learn the ABCs of biking safety learn the building blocks that are necessary for safe bicycling.

Children who attend our Biking Safety Presentations learn about:

  • Helmet fit and that kids under 17 are required by NJ law to wear one
  • The ABC quick check: how to quickly check a bike is safe before riding
  • Rules of the road and responsibilities of cyclists as vehicles
  • How to scan and signal before making turns
  • How to ride predictably and watch out for road hazards
  • How to dress to be safe and the bike equipment that is needed per NJ law

Additionally, the SRTS team explains the benefits of biking and walking to school to students and their teachers. Biking is a great way for students to get part of the daily 60 minutes of exercise that children need each day to stay healthy.  Brain research has shown that students who walk or bike to school are more awake and alert in class, they do better on tests, and they retain information better than students who are driven to school.  We talk about the importance of drinking lots of water when cycling and also about eating healthy foods including more fruits and vegetables to give children energy to help them ride their bicycles for the long term.

By the way, in case you were wondering what the ABCs of biking safety are…

  • A stands for “air” which is needed in tires to ride a bike,
  • B stands for “brakes” which are important to stop a bicycle and need to be properly positioned, and
  • C stands for the “chain, crank, cog and cassette” on the bicycle

The equipment that all cyclists need to ride in NJ includes a white front light, a red rear taillight, and a bike bell or horn to audibly signal. The most important safety skills that kids need to learn are:

  • Come to a full and complete stop at stop signs and red lights
  • Stop at the end of driveways and look both ways before entering the road
  • Always ride bikes on the right hand side of the street with vehicles

Next…the SRTS team will be heading back to the Gregory School and AAA School on July 27thand July 28th to teach in the summer school programs in Long Branch.  We will be making more walking and biking safety presentations to the summer school students and conducting Bike Skills Rodeos where students will get a chance to practice safe riding skills such as scanning, signaling and turning on a safe child-friendly course.  We will also be providing free bike helmets to students who do not have one.

For more info, please contact Lisa Lee at [email protected] or call 201-939-4242.

PSEG Employees Benefit from EZ Ride Shuttle to Newark Penn Station and Local Parking Garages

PSEG, headquartered in Newark for over 100 years, is one of the ten largest electric companies in the U.S.  On May 1st PSEG partnered with EZ Ride to launch an employee shuttle service that links their offices to Newark Penn Station and multiple parking garages in Newark.  The shuttle operates daily from 5:30 am – 10 am and from 2:30 pm – 7 pm.  The service uses two buses which run on two different routes – one serving Newark Penn Station and the other stopping at the parking garages utilized by PSEG employees.  “We are pleased to provide this shuttle service for our staff.  Getting to the office, especially in poor weather conditions, is much easier when you know there is a shuttle available every 10-15 minutes from Newark Penn Station or the parking garage. The availability of the EZ Ride shuttle has made the commute a little easier,” said John Hadden, PSEG Manager – HQ Operations.

EZ Ride also administers six vanpools for PSEG employees who commute to Newark from Toms River, Pt. Pleasant, Howell, Plainsboro, Hillsborough and Old Bridge. One of the vanpools has been in operation for more than 27 years.   EZ Ride plans to host commuter events at PSEG to increase awareness about other commute options such as public transit, carpooling and vanpooling as well as safe biking and walking.

For more information about setting up shuttle services at your facility, please contact:

Kinga Skora

(201) 939-4242 ext. 131

[email protected]

Uber Health and EZ Ride Partner to Increase Mobility for NJ Residents

Uber Health and EZ Ride have entered into a partnership to provide on-demand, affordable transportation services for New Jersey residents age 18 and over through EZ Ride’s “Ryde4Life” program.   Ryde4Life is now available on weekdays from 8am – 8pm and on weekends from 8am – 5pm by calling  866.208.1307 Ext. 4.  Members do not need a smartphone to participate; they only need a cell phone and a credit card to register for the program. “Our partnership with Uber Health will fill the mobility gap experienced by residents who utilize existing public transportation options that may have limited schedules or routes. Ryde4Life makes The Garden State fully accessible all the time,” said Krishna Murthy, President and CEO of EZ Ride.  “We are pleased to provide an easy way for residents without a smart phone to take advantage of Uber’s services.”

“Uber Health’s partnership with EZ Ride provides an additional option for NJ residents to help increase their mobility and reduce isolation in their communities and around the state. Through Ryde4Life, Uber Health offers a convenient, safe and user-friendly on-demand ride experience for those who need it most,” said Dan Trigub, Head of Uber Health.

For more information, please contact:

Avnish Gupta

(201) 939-4242 ext. 118

[email protected]

EZ Ride and Asbury Park Alive Uniting a City through Streets in Motion

Thanks to a generous grant from the New Jersey Health Initiative (NJHI), the state-wide grant making wing of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,  EZ Ride was able to help form the Alliance for a Healthier Asbury Park. The vision of the Alliance is to improve the health and well-being of all Asbury Park residents through prevention, health education, active programs, policy, and environmental change. Its mission is to prevent and reduce chronic disease by lowering the barriers and conditions that prevent healthy living and thinking.

The Open Streets movement is a global phenomenon about getting communities active and changing the way people view their streets and neighborhoods. The Alliance decided that closing certain roads in town and making the “Open Streets” available for healthy activities such as walking, biking, yoga, and rock climbing could increase awareness about the importance of good health, and provide an excellent opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles and active living in the City. In addition to the grant from NJHI, the Alliance raised more than $20,000 from the community to support the event.

The Alliance hosted the First Asbury Park Alive event for a Healthier Asbury Park on Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 1 pm – 5 pm.   The slogan of the event was “Uniting a City through Streets in Motion!” and the City closed several major streets to provide a safe space for people to walk, bike, or skate.  There were bands, DJs, and different activity stations to promote health and well-being. Many partners from the Alliance for a Healthier Asbury Park were involved, including EZ Ride.

EZ Ride provided shuttle services to transport residents from the Senior Housing buildings to the event.  EZ Ride also had two table stations to promote our Ryde4Life and bike and pedestrian programs. The grant provides funding to help Asbury Park residents sign up for the Ryde4Life program and get free transportation services using Lyft or Uber up to a maximum of $100.

EZ Ride’s Bike and Pedestrian team were out in full force promoting bicycling safety at the Bike Hub area by setting up an extensive Safe Bike Riding Skills Course at the Transit Station parking lot. The team distributed safety information, bike safety coloring books, Street Smart tip cards, bike lights, bike water bottle holders, and free helmets.

“I had the privilege to be stationed near EZ Ride’s Bike Rodeo. The team kept focused on the children’s enjoyment and safety and gave out a lot of essential items including helmets and bicycle water bottle holders. The team did face a few challenges – illegally parked vehicles and the rain. But EZ Ride’s Bike & Pedestrian Team rearranged the course several times as necessary. In spite of the rain, they kept the energy level high as they promoted bike safety and fun for the children and families who participated” said Pastor Jackie Burgess,  Volunteer Coordinator for Asbury Park Alive.

For more information contact:

Lisa Lee

(201) 939-4242 ext. 123

[email protected]

Borough of Caldwell & EZ Ride Team up to Conduct Bike & Walk Audit

On April 10, 2019, the Borough of Caldwell, Caldwell School District, and EZ Ride staff teamed up to conduct a Bike & Walk Audit for the Grover Cleveland Middle School.

The Audit is designed to assess the condition of the streets around a school, make recommendations to improve the infrastructure and the environment, with the ultimate goal to encourage and enable students and residents to bike and walk to school.

Two teams conducted the Audit.

The bike team included EZ Ride’s Regional SRTS Coordinator, the Caldwell Traffic Police Sgt., Caldwell’s Head of the Department of Public Works, the School District Superintendent and a staff member, and a Research Specialist from Rutgers Voorhees Transportation Center. They came dressed with bright safety vests, bikes, and helmets.

The walk team included the Director of Social Services, Health Inspector, City Councilwoman, Fireman, two parents, and EZ Ride’s two Assistant Coordinators. To make it more realistic, one team member pushed a baby stroller, and the team also included a senior walker.

The 13 participants split into four groups and evaluated two walk and two bike routes. Each team followed predetermined routes to check the crosswalks, signage, lighting, sidewalks, crossing guards, and ADA compliant ramps.

The Audit started at the end of the school day. The team members witnessed the student dismissal process and observed the traffic before starting the actual audit.

The post-audit session was held at the library to share the findings and the recommendations which were documented by EZ Ride staff. The final audit report could be used by the Borough and School to apply for funding to make infrastructure changes and to get Sustainable Jersey certification points to apply for grants.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Lee

(201) 939-4242 ext. 123

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryde4Life Members – Pearl G. & Sheila from East Orange

Pearl and Sheila live in East Orange.  They used a combination of rides from friends and family, taxis, and buses to get around town.  They discovered the Ryde4Life program while traveling back and forth to the hospital to visit a family member.  Not having to depend on anyone for a ride was very appealing to them and they signed up for the program. Now they use Ryde4Life in conjunction with public transportation to get to the hospital, for shopping, doctor appointments, and social functions.

“We love the flexibility and the fact that there is no exchange of money or arguing over the fare.  The drivers are great, cars are clean, and they arrive within five minutes. We enjoy the freedom of using the service as needed and we enjoy the luxury of someone else out there who looks out for any billing discrepancies. EZ Ride takes care of that easily and quickly.”

For additional information or to sign up for the program, call:

(866) 208-1307, Option 4  or visit  www.Ryde4Life.org

Revised Fare Policy for Flex-T Mobility Program ( Flexible Transportation for People with Disabilities)

We are adjusting our pricing to more accurately reflect the value riders get from our services and to ensure the financial viability of the program.  As a result, EZ Ride will charge a flat fee of $2.40/ mile, and there will be no additional pick-up fee. The increase will be effective September 15, 2017.

The Flex-T Mobility program was launched in 2009 with a grant from the Kessler Foundation to provide rides for people with reduced mobility using volunteer drivers in Monmouth County.  The program has grown and now serves more than 100 riders mostly in Monmouth County, and the total number of rides provided has doubled over the last two years from about 9,000 in 2015 to 18,000 in 2017. We have replaced the volunteers with professional drivers who had the skill sets to meet the needs of the riders we were attempting to serve which increases the cost.

Our 100+ customers live in about 50 different towns and travel to more than 250 different destinations. A large number of origins and destinations make it difficult for our clients to share a ride and if they do, it increases the time they spend in the car traveling. Currently, the average trip length is about 7.7 miles and takes about 24 minutes. We are able to accomplish it by using a larger fleet of vehicles and more drivers which again increases the cost.

To simplify our billing operations, we now require our customers to provide us with a credit/ debit card. Similar to EZ Pass, we will initially deduct $50 from the credit/debit card to open the account and fund the rides. As and when the account balance drops to $25 or below; we will replenish the account balance by adding $50 from the credit/ debit card. All active members will receive a monthly statement of rides provided and their cost.

EZ Ride is a qualified provider for the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) which provides funding for services that assist adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. Each individual who uses DDD’s services has a plan of care developed with their Support Coordinator that details how they want to live and their transportation needs are described in this document.

EZ Ride is working closely with the DDD client and their Support Coordinator to ensure that they are aware of the price increase and are getting the transportation they need. We appreciate our riders’ continued participation in our Flex-T program and look forward to serving their transportation needs into the future.

For additional information, please contact:

(201)939-4242 or email [email protected]

BNE Real Estate Group Provides Shuttle Services for Residents at One Harrison

BNE Real Estate Group is a family-owned business with an established track record of developing thousands of luxury homes, more than one million square feet of commercial space, and manages nearly  8,000 apartments.

In spring 2019 they began leasing operations at their latest venture, One Harrison, located along the Harrison waterfront.  In addition to several lifestyle amenities, BNE partnered with EZ Ride to offer their residents free shuttle service to and from the Harrison PATH station.

“The shuttle is a huge draw for residents who commute using the PATH train service at Harrison. It seamlessly connects our community with public transportation and eliminates the hassles and expense of owning a car. EZ Ride serves not only One Harrison but also two more of our residential communities – Monarch in East Rutherford and Water’s Edge in Harrison,” said Seth Cohen, Executive Vice President – Head of Operations at BNE Real Estate Group.

The Harrison PATH station was redeveloped at a cost of $256 million to include glass-enclosed, weather-protected station entrances; modern elevators widened stairs and escalators to platforms; and, possibly the most critical feature, extended platforms to accommodate longer, 10-car trains. EZ Ride operates five different shuttle services from the Harrison PATH station for various clients.

For more information about setting up shuttle services at your facility, please contact:

Kinga Skora

(201) 939-4242 ext. 131

[email protected]

EZ Ride Provides Shuttle Service to Accommodate Pedestrians During Bloomfield Avenue Bridge Construction

An $11.7 million, state-funded Bloomfield Avenue Bridge rehabilitation project will replace the bridge superstructure, which is in “poor condition.” The bridge is located on Bloomfield Avenue/CR506 over NJ TRANSIT’s Montclair Rail Line near Maple Avenue in Montclair.

The project will be advanced in stages to minimize the impact on motorists. EZ Ride partnered with IEW Construction Group to provide shuttle service for pedestrians during sidewalk closures. The service is free, and it’s provided seven days a week: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The shuttle operates continuously, picking up at Bloomfield Ave and Highland Ave, Bloomfield Ave and Pine Street, and Bay Street Train Station.  Additionally, if needed, riders can flag the shuttle along Woodland Ave.

The shuttle service began on June 29 and is expected to continue operating until December 2019.  The overall construction on the bridge is expected to be completed by summer 2020.

Riders can obtain additional information about the service by contacting:

Veronica Gallegos

(201) 939-4242 ext. 1

[email protected]

Shuttle Map

EZ Ride’s Community Partners Awarded $4.2 Million Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grants

On May 17, 2019, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), announced $5.8 million in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) infrastructure grants to eleven communities.  Seven of these eleven winners are EZ Ride’s municipal and school partners, who were awarded a total of $4.2 million.

 

In Bergen County:

  • $210,000 for Berkeley Elementary School in Westwood

In Essex County:

  • $1,000,000 for Hawkins 13th Ave School in Newark
  • $1,000,000 for Park Avenue Elementary School in Orange

In Monmouth County:

  • $500,000 for Bradley Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Asbury Park
  • $275,000 for Highlands Elementary School in Highlands
  • $230,000 for Amerigo A. Anastasia Elementary Middle School in Long Branch
  • $1,000,000 for River Plaza Elementary School in Middletown

EZ Ride partnered with schools, parents, students, community leaders, police, and other city officials in these communities to identify the barriers that prevented walking or biking in the neighborhood. The schools also documented how students get to and from school – bus, bike, car, walk, or public transit. And EZ Ride prepared a School Travel Plan with recommendations on improving the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure around the school, which was a requirement for all communities seeking infrastructure grants.

“We believe that the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant will help improve the pedestrian and traffic safety not only for our students but also for our residents. We are a township where residents will be healthier, happier, and better connected when they feel they can travel safely around the town.

Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh II, Ed.D, Superintendent, Orange Public Schools continued, “School district staff, city officials, parents, students, and the EZ Ride bike and pedestrian team collaborated to assess and gather the data for the walkability audit. The Travel Plan Report written by EZ Ride identified the traffic safety issues we noted during the audit and provided specific recommendations for us to implement and to highlight in our grant application. During the process, the entire school community was galvanized around improving pedestrian and traffic safety issues in the township.

We look forward to working further with the City of Orange Township, EZ Ride, and NJ Safe Routes to Schools to develop opportunities for safer travel to our district schools.”

For more information about our bike and pedestrian programs, please contact:

Lisa Lee

(201) 939-4242 ext. 123

Essex County Uses Ryde4Life Program to Supplement County Transportation Services

In March 2019, Essex County teamed up with EZ Ride to provide rides for older adults using the Ryde4Life program. The pilot program was designed to augment the county paratransit systems either because of capacity constraints, requests for rides outside of normal operating hours or delayed requests for a ride.

The process is simple –  TransDev, the county’s paratransit operator provides EZ Ride with a list of passengers with their pick-up and drop-off locations a day before they are required. The following day, the riders call EZ Ride directly to request a ride, and the EZ Ride Coordinator uses Lyft/ Uber to provide the service. At the end of the month, EZ Ride bills the county the actual cost of the ride and an additional $2.50 per trip.

Funding for the pilot program was provided in equal amounts by NJ Transit and Essex County. In the last three months, EZ Ride has provided more than 800 rides to county residents.

“The program has been an immediate and overwhelming success. And the number of rides has gradually increased to about 40 trips a day. Our goal in Essex County is to eliminate the transportation barrier and improve the quality of life for our seniors. We are delighted with the services provided by EZ Ride.

We look forward to making it a regular feature on our menu of transportation options,” said Michael Vieira, Essex County Director of Transportation Services.

The Ryde4Life program is very popular with older adults as no reservation is required, and riding in a sedan is far more comfortable than a minibus. However, the average cost of the ride is about $13, which poses a financial burden for most of our riders who live on a fixed income and cannot always afford the trip. The success of the Essex County program was primarily because the rides are free.

The Ryde4Life program primarily serves – older adults, passengers with disabilities, and lower-income residents living in areas with little or no public transportation.

Typically, NJ Transit commuters only pay about 50 percent of the operating cost of the ride. We want to offer the same 50 percent discount to our riders in the Ryde4Life program.

For additional information about the Ryde4Life program, please contact:

Barbara Friedman

(201) 939-4242 ext. 223

[email protected]

Ryde4Life Member – Michael Bruder – Montclair

Michael had lived in Spring Lake, Summit and New York City before settling down in Montclair. He doesn’t drive and has witnessed the changes in the transportation services available in town.

He joined Ryde4life in August 2017, and he uses it for trips outside of Montclair.

For Michael, being a member of Ryde4Life makes him feel independent and in charge of his transportation without having to own a car.  He likes Ryde4Life because its available  on-demand, and he saves a lot of money compared to local taxi services.  He said he rates Ryde4Life “a 20+” and that he is a “satisfied customer.”

 

 

For additional information or to sign up for the program, call:

(866) 208-1307, Option 4

or visit

www.Ryde4Life.org

Walking & Talking About Safety with the NJ Devil in Elmwood Park

On June 17, 2019 EZ Ride’s Bike & Pedestrian Team in partnership with the Elmwood Park School District, the Elmwood Park Police Department, NJTPA’s Street Smart NJ Program, and the NJ Devil’s mascot, known as “NJ,” launched the Street Smart NJ campaign safety messages for drivers and pedestrians at the Gilbert Elementary School.

A short video about how to cross streets safely was presented to more than 250 Grade K-3 students. We taught the children our four safety rules, “Stop, Look, Listen & Wave.” Several of them volunteered to come up and practice the rules on our mini-roadway along with NJ, who modeled the safe way to cross a street.

We also premiered the brand new Street Smart NJ Public Service Announcement starring Ken Daneyko, former NJ Devil’s ice hockey player and three-time Stanley Cup winner. In the video, Daneyko emphasizes the importance of walking safely in busy New Jersey and the danger of being a distracted driver or pedestrian.

The Street Smart NJ messages in the campaign were:

  • Wait for the Walk Signal to cross streets
  • Heads Up & Phone Down for both drivers and pedestrians
  • Cross at the Corners, not mid-block
  • Look Before Crossing
  • Use the Crosswalks

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Lee

(201) 939-4242 ext. 123

[email protected]

EZ Ride Provides Shuttle Service for Hartz from Lincoln Harbor to New York City

We are pleased that Hartz Mountain Industries has chosen to partner with EZ Ride to provide shuttle services from Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken to New York City.

The Estuary Apartments in Lincoln Harbor has approximately 500 units and there are plans to add 900 more units soon. Public transit is the primary mode of transportation to the City. Weehawken is the last stop for the buses driving into the city and are sometimes already full when they arrive. The shuttle is designed to augment NJ Transit bus service and accommodate those left behind.

Service will commence on November 4 and will be provided on weekdays during morning peak hours from 7 a.m to 10 a.m. The shuttle will operate using two minibuses at approximately 25-30 minutes frequency.

EZ Ride also provides shuttles for Hartz Mountain Industries from their Harmon Meadow facility to Secaucus Junction using four buses that operate during peak hours.

For additional information please contact:

Avnish Gupta

(201) 939-4242 ext. 118

[email protected]

Welcome to EZ Ride’s 2019 Annual Campaign for Affordable Transportation!

As a mission-driven non-profit organization, EZ Ride is dedicated to lowering the transportation barrier and improving the quality of life for for commuters, lower-income residents, older adults, and riders with disabilities in New Jersey.

From carpools to vanpools, to shuttles, to transportation for older and riders with disabilities, EZ Ride tries to fill the gap when other options fall short. For some people, the transportation services may not be attainable because of cost. EZ Ride strives to ensure these services are available to everyone in the community regardless of income.

 

Our goals for this year’s annual campaign are to:

  1. Raise awareness and $200,000 in funds for EZ Ride’s financial assistance program
  2. Enable the participation of 1,000 older adults in our Ryde4life transportation program
  3. Help to provide more than 15,000 subsidized rides for lower-income older adults

We have partnered with Lyft and Uber to launch Ryde4Life, a program to provide reliable transportation on demand. The program is very popular with older adults because no reservation is required and riding in a sedan is far more comfortable than a minibus. However, the cost of the ride continues to pose a financial burden for most of our riders who live on a fixed income and cannot always afford the trip.

Please join us today in helping advance our cause for affordable transportation. For a better you. For a better community. Give for a better us.

Contributions can be made by sending a check, credit card or paypal and are fully tax-deductible.

For more information about our campaign and how to make a donation, please contact:

Kinga Skora

(201) 939-4242 ext. 131

[email protected]

A National Night Out to Celebrate Pedestrian, Cyclist and Driver Safety

EZ Ride’s Bike and Pedestrian Safety Team was out in force for National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2019, to promote cyclist, pedestrian and driver safety in three different communities: Elizabeth, Linden, and Long Branch.

National Night Out is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August. It is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live. Millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, US territories, and military bases worldwide. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits, and more.

In all three cities, EZ Ride team members set up a table with pedestrian and cyclist safety information. It included Street Smart NJ tip cards, handouts on helmet fitting in Spanish and English, bicycle and pedestrian safety coloring books, brochures about buying a youth bike, safe walking and bicycling pamphlets in English and Spanish, Stop for Pedestrians Warning Flyers, and Walking “prescriptions.” And we provided 150 free bike helmets to young children as well as 30 sets of bicycle lights.

In Linden, there was a great deal of interest from parents about helmet fitting and bike safety. We will be partnering with the Linden Police to kick-off a Street Smart NJ campaign on September 23.

In Long Branch, we partnered with the Monmouth Medical Center community health educators to provide helmets and promote healthier living. EZ Ride is a recipient of a NJ Healthy Communities grant for Long Branch. As a result, we were able to offer jump ropes, healthier recipes, and health information to encourage physical activity and healthy eating.

In Elizabeth, we partnered with the City, the Police, and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) to hold a Street Smart NJ Campaign Kickoff event with the media. The Mayor, City Council members, and representatives from the NJTPA and the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety addressed the attendees. Union County Freeholder, NJTPA Chairman, and EZ Ride trustee Angel Estrada commended the city on their efforts to improve pedestrian safety.  “The more we educate people about safe driving and walking, the safer we can make our roads for everyone, he said. “Together, we can make a difference. Remember to Drive Smart, Walk Smart, and Be Street Smart.”

All three events provided EZ Ride an excellent opportunity to promote safe walking and biking in the community.

For more information about our bicycle and pedestrian programs and services, please contact:

Lisa Lee

(201) 939-4242 ext. 123

[email protected]

Ryde4Life Member – Charles Zylinky

Charles and his wife Rose Marie are both members of Ryde4Life.  They do everything together – cooking meals, attending club meetings, and going on vacation. And they always use Ryde4Life for their local travel needs.

Charles is a former professional driver, but says driving in the area today is “too crazy.” He decided to stop driving and began using taxis before joining the Ryde4Life program. Today, he uses Ryde4Life for all his trips, including visits to the doctor, shopping, or going out to dinner with his wife. He prefers Ryde4Life to taxi service as it makes him feel like he has his personal car service.

Charles says that all the drivers are super helpful, and sometimes he even gets the same driver. He has told some of his friends about the service and says that Ryde4Life is the best alternative to having your car.

 

For additional information or to sign up for the program, call:

(866) 208-1307, Option 4

or visit

www.Ryde4Life.org

Proposed Transit Options to American Dream

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

[email protected]

EZ Ride to Launch Two New Shuttles to Serve Monmouth County

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

[email protected]

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Recognition Award & Infrastructure Grants

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:

  1. Strengthening your crossing guard program
  2. Crafting policies to promote walking and biking for adoption by your municipality and Board of Education (BOE)
  3. Implementing biking and walking educational programs for kids
  4. Identifying street infrastructure needs to support safe walking and biking
  5. 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

[email protected]

Essex County Seniors Participating in Ryde4Life Program Reached 3,000 Rides Milestone

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

[email protected]

100 Monmouth County Residents Participate in Flex-T Mobility Partner Program

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

[email protected]

Ryde4Life Member – Harold Meltzer

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

7,500 Students Celebrate “Walk to School Day”

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

[email protected]

Montclair Township Approves Continued Funding For Senior Bus Service

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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

[email protected]

VNACJ Clients To Use Ryde4Life Program

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

[email protected]

Port Authority, Cashless Tolling To Cancel GWB’s Carpool Discount

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

[email protected]

New Jersey Employers Must Offer Employees Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits

Governor Phil Murphy recently signed a bill into law requiring New Jersey employers with at least 20 employees to offer a pre-tax transportation fringe benefit to employees (who are not currently in a collective bargaining agreement) beginning March 1, 2020.

The Federal Government allows employees to set aside $265 per month of pre-tax wages, which can be used for your mass transit commuting costs and parking while reducing your federal taxable income. That means you could save up to $900/year by not paying federal income tax on that salary. If you need to pay for parking to make your transit connection, the parking fees can be funded with pre-tax dollars up to an additional $265 per month.

To take advantage of these tax savings, your employer needs to opt-in to either the NJ TRANSIT Bulk Sales program or one of the programs offered by a third-party provider, like TransitChek by WageWorks. In addition to these programs, payroll service companies like ADP, offer a transit pre-tax benefit option. A common name for the benefit is “commuter tax benefit.”

Commuter tax benefits can be structured as an employee-funded tax-free payroll deduction, as an employer-funded benefit, or employer and employee can share the costs. The benefit can be delivered in the form of transit provider-specific passes or universally accepted vouchers and debit cards.

To help you through the process and provide the information, please contact:

NJ TRANSIT Bulk Sales Program

(973) 491-7288.

Ryde4Life Member – Geraldine

Geraldine and her husband William, have been married for 59 years. Originally from Brooklyn, they moved to Staten Island to raise their family. They moved to New Jersey to be closer to their son and his family. Geraldine and William have five beautiful grandchildren. She enjoys her relationships with them because they always keep her laughing.

Living in New Jersey does not come without challenges. Things got much more comfortable when they joined the Ryde4Life program about a year ago. When William fell ill, it became difficult to get him to his doctor’s appointments.

Geraldine exclaimed, “Thank goodness Ryde4Life is around to get us back and forth when there is not any other option!” Now, they can enjoy spontaneous shopping trips. Geraldine stated that the drivers are all amiable and helpful. She spreads the word about Ryde4Life whenever she can.

For more infromation about Ryde4Life program, please call:

(866) 208-1307, Option 4

www.Ryde4Life.org

NJ TRANSIT Approves Permanent Expansion of Bus Service to American Dream

Since October 25, American Dream opening day, many people have been wondering about parking and transportation options.  Parking at American Dream for less than 30 minutes is free, but after that fees start at $3 for up to three hours and go up from there. Parking for over 8 hours or all day is $24. But if MetLife Stadium is hosting an event, such as a concert or a Giants or Jets game, parking will automatically cost $30.  While many visitors expect to drive, others may want to use public transit options.

NJ TRANSIT has implemented the following bus service:

  • Bus No. 355 which operates daily express service from PABT to the American Dream every 30 minutes.
  • Bus No. 356 which operates daily express service from Secaucus Junction to American Dream every 30 minutes.

To utilize Bus No. 356 express bus service from Secaucus Junction customers may travel on any rail line that serves Secaucus Junction or any of the five NJ TRANST bus routes that serve Secaucus Junction and transfer to Route No. 356 express bus for direct service to American Dream. They are:

  • Bus No. 2, Journal Square to Secaucus
  • Bus No. 78, Newark to Secaucus
  • Bus No. 124, PABT to Secaucus-Harmon Cove
  • Bus No. 129, PABT to Secaucus
  • Bus No. 329, Harmon Cove to Secaucus

Local bus routes which have expanded their operating hours and include stops at American Dream include:

  • Bus No. 85, which operates from Hoboken/Union City to Secaucus;
  • Bus No. 703, which operates from Paterson/Passaic to East Rutherford;
  • Bus No. 772, which operates from Hackensack to the Meadowlands

For more information about bus and train schedules, please contact:

Michael Jensen

(201) 939-4242 ext. 139

[email protected]

A New Year’s Resolution to Stop Idling and Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

January is the time to make plans and set goals for the coming year. Many people make resolutions to get more exercise and eat healthier foods, and these are two healthy practices.

Our Bike & Pedestrian Team works with more than 200 communities during the year to promote walking and biking. This year the team decided to talk about idling, the impact on kids, and the importance of reducing the amount of idling that happens around schools at drop off and pick up. Idling is when the engine in a vehicle is running, but the vehicle is not moving. An idling car produces 20 times more pollution than a car driving 30 mph and kids breathe 50% more air pollution per pound of body weight than adults and are more severely affected because their lungs are still growing. The #1 chronic disease for kids is asthma, and idling and vehicle emissions make asthma worse.

According to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, “excessive idling causes an unnecessary release of air contaminants into the air in NJ, including fine particulates and air toxins. Every year, hundreds of New Jerseyans die prematurely from exposure to diesel exhaust and fine particle pollution and may cause more deaths in NJ than homicides and car crashes combined”. As a result, NJ law prohibits idling for more than three minutes, and drivers face a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for the third and subsequent violations. The exceptions are for vehicles in traffic, emergency vehicles providing service, and busses discharging or picking up passengers (15-minute idling limit).

For more information, visit:

www.StopTheSoot.org.

Complaints about idling vehicles can be made to the DEP’s 24-hour toll-free hotline at:

1-877-WARN DEP

(1-877-927-6337)

EZ Ride Offers Free Rides for all Asbury Park Residents during Pandemic until December 31, 2020

August 7, 2020

Starting in the month of May 2020, EZ Ride, in conjunction with The Alliance for a Healthier Asbury Park, is using their New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) grant to assist all Asbury Park residents in getting to doctor’s appointments and going for food shopping. As of this writing, subject to availability of funds, this free service will be provided until December 31, 2020.

The Ryde4Life program by EZ Ride uses the transportation services offered by Lyft and Uber and was designed to serve older adults to address their transportation challenges. Since last three years this program has been providing limited number of free rides to the seniors in Asbury Park.  However, due to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, it was expanded to serve all Asbury Park residents aged 18 and over to get to their doctor’s appointments or to go food shopping up to a distance of 15-miles.

The rides are available Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM based on the availability of Lyft and Uber vehicles. Riders must request the ride at least 24 hours in advance and need a working cell phone to connect them with the driver. At the time and day of their appointment, the resident is required to call again to activate their ride.

Doug Schultz, the Director of Social Services in Asbury Park, had several clients who needed to get to a specific clinic just outside the mile limit and reached out to EZ Ride to see if they could help. Because the need for the residents is so great at this time, EZ Ride worked with him and will continue to do so going forward.

“I would like to thank EZ-Ride for their willingness to accommodate our residents with transportation to medical facilities beyond the 15-mile limit to include two Substance Abuse treatment facilities. We are grateful and hope that we will be able to make use of this service during these challenging times,” said Doug Schultz.

EZ Ride hopes to provide trips to as many Asbury Park residents as possible, helping to keep them safe and healthy during these difficult and uncertain times. The expanded program was launched on May 4th, and we are pleased that it is helping many residents of Asbury Park.

For more information, please see the program flyer

Health and Safety of the Riders is the First Priority as EZ Ride Prepares to Re-launch its Shuttle Services

As New Jersey starts re-opening for business, we are ready and prepared to re-launch our shuttle services with the health and safety of our riders as our first priority. EZ Ride is amenable to modifying the route, including providing direct service into New York City. Please keep us posted about your shuttle needs ahead of time, as we would need at least a week to start the service.

As informed earlier, we are taking the following steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Requiring all drivers and riders to wear a cloth face covering while on the shuttle
  • Restricting seating to alternate rows to ensure proper social distancing
  • Posting conspicuous signage on shuttles to alert drivers and customers about social distancing requirements
  • Sanitizing all shuttles daily and wiping all frequently touched surfaces.

Please note all riders are required to have a face covering to use our shuttle service.

Some additional measures being implemented in our facility that will add to the overall safety environment for our drivers are as follows:

  • Installation of air scrubbers in all HVAC systems in the building
  • Revisiting package and mail delivery procedures
  • Reducing staff in the office to below 25 percent of pre-pandemic numbers
  • Supporting social distancing by removing the coffee machine and the table/ chairs in the driver lounge area

Be well, and stay safe. We look forward to serving you.

For more information about our safety measures, please contact Avnish Gupta at (201)939-4242×118 or email [email protected].

EZ Ride Shuttles – Your Safety is Our Priority

We are ready and prepared to re-launch our shuttle services and the health and safety of our riders is our priority. We have created a brief video showing the safety precautions being taken by us (link to the video here).

To ensure your safety, we require that all riders wear a face covering when boarding our shuttles and practice social distancing rules by limiting one passenger per row.

Several of our shuttles have already begun their operations. Please visit our shuttle schedules page to check if your service is up and running.

If your company is ready to resume operations, please contact:

Kinga Skora 201-939-4242 Ext.131 or [email protected]

Governor Murphy lifts COVID-19 capacity limits on trains and buses

New Jersey Transit will lift the 50 percent capacity limits on its trains, buses and light rails, as the COVID-19 pandemic slows down in the state and the New York City metro area, and more people begin commuting to work. That also applies to private-carrier buses, trains and light rail vehicles, and Access Link vehicles.

“As we have undertaken our restart and recovery, and as more New Jerseyans begin getting back to their jobs, we are seeing increases in ridership which are beginning to approach 50 percent of the stated maximum capacity of these vehicles, and we want to ensure that people are able to get to their jobs and that the system continues operating as efficiently as possible,” the governor said at his COVID-19 press conference May 6th at the Trenton War Memorial.

Staff and passengers will still have to wear face coverings, Governor Murphy said. Although trains and buses will not automatically jump past the 50 percent cap in most cases, “we anticipate at least at rush hour that will be a reality,” the governor suggested.

Masks need to be worn at any indoor stations, as well as outdoor stations where social distancing “is not practicable,” Murphy added.

Congratulations to the 2020 Winners of the NJ Safe Routes to School Recognition Program!

We are pleased that more than 100 schools and municipalities served by EZ Ride were recognized by the New Jersey Department of Transportation for their Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and included 51 Gold, 20 Silver, 18 Bronze, and 27 First Step Awardees. These winners are recognized for their commitment and support of the Safe Routes to School program by enabling and encouraging children to walk and bike to school. For a list of all current NJ SRTS winners, click here.

The Safe Routes to School program recognizes awardees for their hard work and commitment to the program, and recognition is valid for three years. Schools and municipalities that have earned NJ SRTS recognition and are also enrolled in the Sustainable Jersey certification program can earn points. Click here for more information.

To learn more about how to qualify for the NJ SRTS Recognition Program and get a head start on applying for recognition next year, please contact:

Lisa Lee

201-939-4242 Ext 123

[email protected]

EZ Ride’s Bike & Pedestrian Team Offers Resources Online

EZ Ride now offers a new Online Bike Safety presentation with videos and a follow-up poster contest and worksheet in English, Spanish, Hindi and Arabic languages, which is available for free for all students.  More than 16,000 students have taken advantage of these presentations. To review the presentation click here. We have made changes to our current safety presentations and added safety tips regarding Covid-19 to ensure the importance of social distancing is highlighted.

EZ Ride also has created a new Library of more than 150 curated Bike and Pedestrian resources that include videos, activities, and information for students, parents, and adults who want to promote biking,  walking,  and traffic safety. Click here to check out the resources available.

During this summer season more people are out walking and biking in their neighborhoods. EZ Ride’s top priority is to ensure they are doing so in the safest and healthiest way.

EZ Ride offers “Safe Routes to School Travel Toolkit”

The Safe Routes to School Travel Toolkit, provides information about the commute to school options in the context of COVID-19 and especially addresses safety and social distancing plans. The toolkit was sent to more than 1,000 school principals and administrators in EZ Ride’s service area that could benefit more than 500,000 students and their families. To access the Tollkit click here.

The toolkit is designed to help and keep pedestrians and bicyclists informed and safe. It includes five distinct sections: walking, biking, busing, driving, and school access points and each section also provides suggestions and benefits.

The toolkit could help:

  • Students – Be safe when travelling to and from school
  • School administrators – Face the challenges with the reopening of schools
  • Parents – Alleviate their anxiety about the reopening of schools

For more information please call Lisa Lee

201939-4242 Ext.123 or  email:  [email protected]

Voices for Healthy Kids Policy Campaign Grants $50K-$200K

The Voices for Healthy Kids’ mission is to support, drive and inform local, state and tribal policy change efforts that will dramatically improve the health of children who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian and Alaskan Native or from families who have low income through campaigns, partnerships/networks, research and communications.
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The Policy Campaign Grant is designed to support strategic issue advocacy campaigns supporting Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities with a focus on health equity. Applications must be specific to an individual campaign for public policy change in one state, city, town or county, or tribal nation.
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Applications should focus on public policy changes to reduce health disparities for children in urban, suburban or rural settings who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Alaskan Native or from families who have low income.
This call for applications has a narrowed list of current policy issues to ensure a balanced grant portfolio.
We will accept applications on the following policy issues:
  • Sugary Drink Tax and Investment
  • Healthier Options at Restaurants
  • School Food Access and Healthy Quality
  • Early Care and Education Security
  • Head Start/Early Head Start
  • Water Access in Schools
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Expansion and Nutrition Incentives
Information and the application for the Policy Campaign Grant are online. All applications will be submitted in this system and registration is required. Please follow these simple steps to register:
  • Visit https://voicesforhealthykids.fluxx.io and in the lower right corner of the webpage, click the create account now button. Be sure to use Google Chrome as this site does not work with Internet Explorer.
  • Complete the eligibility quiz.
  • If your organization is eligible you will then need to complete a registration form for your organization and individual information.
  • Once submitted, your registration will be reviewed and approved within 24 hours.
We appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity with organizations working on local, state or tribal advocacy campaigns. Together, we can make each day healthier for all children. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Diana E. Fainberg

President                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Diana E. Fainberg Associates, LLC

Diana Fainberg is a professional planner specializing in property evaluation, land use and development planning, zoning analysis, environmental and transportation issues and regulatory controls. She is experienced in preparing and managing applications for Planning Board approvals and other local, State and Federal permits, selecting and directing consultant teams and serving as a liaison with community and governmental agencies. Ms. Fainberg provides consultant services primarily to property owners and developers.

Ms. Fainberg’s development projects have included managing approvals for a 1278-unit residential and retail project on the Hoboken waterfront and a 290,000 square foot office complex in Somerset County. She has been responsible for coordination and direction of local partners and consultants in the approvals, leasing and development of a new 25-acre Town Center in Montgomery, County, Maryland. Ms. Fainberg has also provided due diligence analyses for a potential land acquisition by the Chubb Corporation in Connecticut.

Ms. Fainberg held the position of Senior Vice President in the Planning Department of Bellemead Development Corporation, serving l5 years with the firm. She was responsible for planning and approvals for numerous office and residential projects. She continues to assist Bellemead in matters relating to regulatory analysis, property development and disposition.

Ms. Fainberg is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a licensed Professional Planner in New Jersey. She is a former chairman of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Association. Ms. Fainberg is also a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, where she serves on the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committees.

Ms. Fainberg is a graduate of Clark University and holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University

Scott Bogren

Executive Director                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Community Transportation Association of America

Community Transportation Association of America Executive Director Scott Bogren has been working with, writing about and covering the community and public transportation industry for nearly three decades. His experience with CTAA includes being Editor-in-Chief of Community Transportation magazine; crafting the Association’s various legislative, policy and regulatory positions on Capitol Hill; and shaping CTAA’s communications, training and leadership activities.

Scott is a proud graduate of Indiana University’s Journalism program, Scott lives in Germantown, Md., with his wife Beth and their two children Riley and Ella. In his spare time he like sports, kayaking and reading.

 

William Riviere

Principal Planner                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          New Jersey Department of Transportation

William Riviere is a principal planner for the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the NJDOT’s Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs. As the lead administrator for NJDOT’s Local Technical Assistance Program for bicycle and pedestrian projects, Mr. Riviere provides guidance and expertise in creating streets as corridors for all modes of transportation for all ages and abilities.

As the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Mr. Riviere oversees the technical assistance program working closely with the Safe Routes Resource Center at Rutgers and all eight New Jersey Transportation Management Associations.

Tom Schulze

Executive Director                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Center for Community Planning

Tom Schulze, is Lead Coordinator for the Urban Essex Coalition for Smart Growth, an effort in Newark, East Orange, and Orange.  He is also the Executive Director of the Center for Community Planning, a newly created non-profit community planning group providing planning services to communities throughout New Jersey and he directs the Community Planning Assistance Program for the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Mr. Schulze has been a City Planner in the NJ/NY area for almost 40 years.  He recently retired as Senior Director for Capital Planning at NJ TRANSIT.

Prior to working for NJ TRANSIT he was the Executive Director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) in New York City.  He has also worked for local and regional governments, including the City of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and NJ TRANSIT, where he did the planning for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line.  He has worked for private consulting firms, and consulted for local community development corporations and non-profit housing development groups in and around Newark, New Jersey.

Mr. Schulze is an adjunct professor at Hunter College and Rutgers University Graduate Planning Programs.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and Master’s Degree from Hunter College in New York City.

Avnish Gupta

COO & General Counsel – EZ Ride

Avnish Gupta is an attorney with diverse management and executive experience.  Prior to his current position, Avnish worked as an Associate with a law firm in Pennsylvania, managed law practice in India, and served in the Indian Army as a Commissioned Officer.  Avnish combines his legal and risk management skills with men and material management experience to bring a unique perspective to various business, legal and HR issues. Avnish also serves on the Board of Directors of Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance. Avnish is a graduate of the National Defense Academy (Bachelor of Science), the Indian Military Academy, Delhi University Law Centre (Bachelor of Laws) and Georgetown University Law Center (Master of Laws).

Krishna Murthy

President & CEO – EZ Ride

Krishna Murthy has a multidisciplinary background in management, planning, engineering, and business. Krishna is a graduate of the National Defense Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and served as an officer in the Indian Army. Before joining EZ Ride, he worked as a Research Assistant at the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at City College, New York. Krishna has an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MS in Civil Engineering (Transportation) from the City University of New York, and an MS in City & Regional Planning from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Hailey Graf, AICP

Principal Facilities Planner                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                NJ Transit

Hailey Graf is a Principal Facilities Planner in NJ TRANSIT’s Strategic Planning Program. Her work for the agency includes enhancing bicycle and pedestrian access to transit facilities, bus service redesigns, and rail planning projects. With experience in micro-mobility and transit service planning, she aims to improve transit access and mobility for all users. Hailey holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Design, with a focus in Community Sustainability from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

 

Sal Gentile

Executive Vice President                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc.

Mr. Gentile joined Hartz Mountain Industries in 1989 rising to the position of Executive Vice-President of Operations. Currently oversees all design, engineering, construction, and property management functions within one of the country’s largest privately owned real estate organizations.  Prior to Hartz he was employed by Williams Real Estate from 1985-1989 within the Property Management Department.

Mr. Gentile is a graduate of Hofstra University and a graduate of NYU School of Continuing Education in Construction Management.

Mr. Gentile has been a member of EZ Ride’s board since 2015.

Sandra Bleckman

Director, Health Services, Strategy and Workforce Partnerships                                                                                                                                                                                                                     New Jersey Council of County Colleges

Sandra Bleckman is Director Health Services, Strategy and Workforce Partnerships at the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Before her recent appointment, Bleckman was previously the Senior Project Manager, Employer Outreach & Partnerships. She has worked with the council since August 2020.

Ms. Bleckman is an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has taught there since 2014. She also worked as the Director of Leisure & Hospitality Industry Partnerships & Talent Development Center at FDU from 2013-19. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clark University and an MA in Administrative Sciences from FDU.

In addition, Ms. Bleckman has earned a certification in Hotel Industry Analytics from FDU, Human Resources Management, also from FDU, and in Teaching Adult Learners from Camden County College. She also worked as Vice President of Foundation Development & Relations at Landmark Hospitality, as an alumni admissions interviewer for Clark University and a membership advisor at Equinox and Assistant Personnel Officer for the County of Bergen.

Sandra has served as a board member for the National Association for Catering & Events. She is also a member of the Essex County Disabilities Issues Committees as well as an advisory board member to Union City High School, Union County Vo Tech and Hudson County Community College. Sandra also sits on the Board of the NJ Tourism Industry Association, the Essex County Workforce Development Board as well as EZ Ride.

Michael Vieira

Director of Special Transportation Services                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Essex County Division of Training and Employment

Michael Vieira is the Director of Special Transportation Services for Essex County and has served in the position for more than 34 years. He is responsible for the county’s community transportation programs for senior citizens, the disabled and the economically disadvantaged.

Mr. Vieira is also involved in state and national community transportation organizations. Mr. Vieira is President of the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation  and a member of the Community Transportation Association of America based in Washington, DC where he shares his transportation expertise with other transportation agencies throughout the country.

Mr. Vieira is a member of the Livingston Township Council where he has served since 2019. He has also volunteered on the Livingston Transportation Advisory Committee, Vision 20/20, Complete Streets, Bi-Partisan Advisory Committee on Appointments and Livingston Zoning Board of Adjustment.  In addition, he is a member of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. He attended Rutgers University in Newark.

James Kirkos

President & CEO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Meadowlands Chamber

After a 23 year career as a foodservice and hospitality entrepreneur, Jim has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Meadowlands Chamber since June of 2002. The Chamber’s mission is to accelerate economic, community and business development by providing its membership with networking & relationship building opportunities; destination & tourism marketing services; business education and leadership training; legislative and public affairs advocacy, and workforce development initiatives to business members throughout the greater Meadowlands region.
Jim initiated a strategic planning process that focused the organization’s activities on delivering membership value and an increased visible leadership position on critical advocacy initiatives. In 2004 Jim led the way for the establishment of the Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau within the Chamber to address the economic impact that tourism and destination marketing could have on the Meadowlands regional economy. The Chamber and CVB play an integral part in bringing major events like the Super Bowl and WrestleMania to MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.
Jim has served on the New Jersey Transit Advisory Council, the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority Stakeholders Committee and is currently serving the Bergen Leads Advisory Board, The Center for Excellence at FDU, and the Felician College Business Advisory Board. Jim was elected to the national board of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) based in Washington DC in January of 2014
Jim attended Montclair State University and Fairleigh Dickinson University majoring in Business Administration and Accounting.

Michael Russo

Assistant Commissioner                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Planning, MultiModel & Grant Administration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)

Michael Russo was appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner in August 2017. Mike is responsible for managing approximately 230 employees in the Divisions of Statewide Planning, Multimodal Services, Local Aid and Economic Development, Environmental Resources, and the Bureau of Transportation Data and Safety.

Mike has 34 years with NJDOT beginning his career as a Civil Engineer Trainee in the Region 3 Design Office working primarily on projects along the Route 1 corridor. Most recently Mike served as Director of Local Aid and Economic Development leading a team of professional and administrative staff in five Local Aid offices responsible for the Department’s $530 million Local Aid program.

Earlier in his career Mike served in various capacities including Project Engineer of a Roadway Design Squad, District Engineer of the Freehold Local Aid Office, and Manager of the Bureau of Design Coordination and Geometric Design. Mike also served in the Division of Project Planning and Development managing Concept Development and Feasibility Assessment efforts on projects throughout the state including the I-295/Route 42/I- 76 Direct Connection Project.

Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami in 1983 and resides in Columbus with his wife and two children.

Lisa Lee

Director, Sustainability Programs

Lisa connects and encourages stakeholders to use policy, environment and system change to create safer and healthier places to live, work, study, and play.  Serves as the regional Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Monmouth, Bergen, and the urban parts of Essex, Union, and Passaic Counties. Lisa assists communities to conduct Street Smart NJ pedestrian and driver safety campaigns, walk/bike audits, and writes travel plans for municipalities and schools to apply for New Jersey Department of Transportation grants.  Works on walking, biking and Complete Streets policies, infrastructure change, and tactical urbanism demo projects to support safe active transportation.  Helps promote walk and roll to school days, walking school busses/bike trains, wellness councils, community gardens, and healthy corner store/barbershop partnerships. Lisa developed Healthy Community initiatives/coalitions in Asbury Park, Long Branch, Farmingdale, Plainfield, Belmar and Fanwood-Scotch Plains.

Lisa is a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor and received a B.A. from Wellesley College, an executive M.P.A. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.  Currently studying Urban Planning at Rutgers University Bloustein School.