June 2025

Since 2004, Essex County has partnered with EZ Ride to operate three essential shuttle services that support low-income residents: the Night Owl Shuttle, Route 10 Shuttle and the Fairfield- West Caldwell Shuttle.

These shuttles are partially funded by the NJ-Job Access & Reverse Commute (NJ-JARC) Program, which offers operating assistance to localities to help connect low income persons to jobs and other employment related services.

Essex County administers these shuttle programs through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process every five years. EZ Ride has consistently been selected to operate the services for more than two decades – a testament to the organization’s reliability and commitment.

Among the three shuttle services, the Night Owl Shuttle is the most heavily used. Operating daily from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., it provides critical transportation between Newark Penn Station and residents’ homes in Newark, Orange, East Orange, and Irvington. Many residents depend on the shuttle to reach early-morning or overnight shifts, particularly at Newark Airport. On average, more than 100 residents use the service each night, highlighting its essential role in supporting the local workforce.

“For more than 20 years, our partnership with EZ Ride has helped ensure that residents—especially those in underserved communities—can get to work, school, and essential services,” said Michael Vieira, Director of Special Transportation Services of the Essex County Department of Economic Development & Training. “These shuttle programs are more than just transportation—they are a bridge to opportunity, economic growth, and community well-being.”

EZ Ride is proud to promote economic mobility by providing safe, reliable access to employment. Our longstanding partnership with Essex County illustrates the essential role these shuttles play in connecting communities to jobs and essential services—serving as a lifeline for many workers and families.

For more information on EZ Ride’s shuttle programs, contact Kinga Skora at [email protected] or call 201-939-4242 ext. 131.