ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — South Jersey has limited public transit options compared to the northern part of the state. Gov. Phil Murphy proposed three new efforts to help bridge the gap.
At a news conference in Atlantic City Wednesday morning, the governor announced plans to expand public transportation options in South Jersey. One of the new proposals is an express shuttle service between Vineland and Atlantic City to help casino workers get back and forth.
“Twice daily, synced up to the casino shifts, shuttle between Vineland and Atlantic City for work days. We think that will be a big game-changer,” Murphy said.
The one-year shuttle pilot program is expected to launch in the fall.
There’s also a plan to enhance electric bus service.
“It’ll be a double-digit million-dollar investment in a new fleet of electric buses that’ll be headquartered and housed in Camden,” he said. “A, because they’re needed. And B, interestingly, Camden is well ahead of the rest of the state in terms of being able to maintain and house electronic transit vehicles of any kind.”
The state is also working on a $5 million federal investment for a micro-transit system to support the “eds and meds” corridors of South Jersey — like Camden and Glassboro — and connect people to jobs, schools and health care facilities.
Murphy said these initiatives are all designed to help people get to where they need to be. The details on these proposals are still being worked out.