SJ Connects Bus Service Expands Into Burlington County

Local, county and state leaders joined the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ), and regional business and health care leaders today for a ride-along on the new SJ Connects Burlington County shuttle, highlighting the expansion of free regional transportation service into Burlington County.

The new route, which begins service September 21, is part of SJ Connects, SJTA's regional transportation initiative designed to provide greater mobility and connect South Jersey residents with employment centers, health care facilities, educational institutions, retail destinations and other essential services.

The Burlington County route travels between the Pennsauken Transit Center and Twosome Drive at Church Street in Moorestown, with a total of 11 stops on the route.

"This is exactly what SJ Connects was designed to do: connect people to the places they need to go," said Stephen Dougherty, Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority. "Adding Burlington County to the SJ Connects network expands the reach of this service and gives residents another transportation option to get to work, access health care, pursue an education and take care of everyday needs. Our focus now is making sure people know about the service and that we make this pilot a success."

"This is a great example of what can happen when government, business, health care and community leaders work together around a common goal," said Christina Renna, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. "Transportation is directly connected to economic opportunity. When people can more easily reach a job, a health care provider or an educational institution, the entire region benefits."

"Reliable transportation is essential to connecting Burlington County residents to jobs, health care, education and other services they rely on every day," said Senator Troy Singleton, who sponsored the legislation adding Burlington County to the SJTA's charter. "The expansion of SJ Connects into Burlington County provides another option for residents to get where they need to go, while strengthening connections between our communities and the economic opportunities available throughout South Jersey. I look forward to seeing this service put to work for Burlington County residents."

“Transportation is something many people take for granted until they don’t have it, and since Burlington County is New Jersey’s largest county, it’s one of our biggest challenges,” said Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo. “According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, more than 7,000 Burlington County households don’t have a vehicle, and one in three households in our county only have one. We believe the addition of the SJ Connects shuttle will be a lifeline for these families by providing access to jobs, health care, shopping, recreation, and more. We’re excited to see the shuttles on the road, and we are thankful to have partners like Senator Singleton, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, and the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey to help bring this important transportation asset to Burlington County.”

For Cooper University Health Care, the new route also creates an additional transportation option for patients and employees.

“Access to health care begins with being able to get there,” said Anthony Welch, MBA, Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer at Cooper University Health Care. “The expansion of SJ Connects into Burlington County provides an important new transportation option for our patients, team members, and the communities we serve. With Cooper’s Moorestown Campus serving as a starting and ending point for the route, we’re pleased to be part of an initiative that will make it easier for people to access high-quality health care while connecting residents to jobs and other essential destinations throughout the region.”

The SJ Connects pilot program is free to riders and is designed to provide additional transportation options while connecting residents throughout South Jersey to employment, health care, education, government services, retail destinations and transportation hubs.

For route information, schedules and additional details, visit SJTA Transportation Services.

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