The Mayor's Column

Transportation Services

                                                                             
The Monroe Township Transportation Division had another record breaking year in 2009, as more residents used its in-town and out-of-town shuttle programs than ever before.

In 2009, a total of 26,514 passengers utilized the Transportation Division’s services, which is a 2.3 percent increase from the 25,895 passengers that rode township buses in 2008. Nearly 11,842 of the total passengers used the shuttle services to Princeton and Freehold and the remainder using the buses for in-town travel.

The out-of-town shuttles pick up residents, regardless of age, at locations throughout the Township and bring them to specific stops including the Freehold Raceway Mall, Centra State Medical Center, East Windsor Town Center (Multiplex Cinemas, ShopRite), Princeton Medical Center, Palmer Square among other locations.

The medical shuttles for seniors and disabled residents have also been highly-utilized with 7,225 residents setting up appointments to have the Transportation Division shuttles take them to local medical offices. The medical shuttles are not intended for emergency appointments and five-day notice is required.

To help the medical shuttles run more efficiently, the Friends of the Senior Center donated a Chevrolet Uplander to the Transportation Division. The seven-passenger vehicle is mainly used to pick up senior residents whose medical visits may run long, which helps the Division from having to reschedule drivers and shuffle pick-up schedules.

This year, the Township replaced two buses that date back 1997. The new buses can hold a maximum of 32 passengers, but are also handicap accessible and hold 28 passengers when two-wheelchairs are on board.  The Friends of the Senior Center purchased a third 32-passenger bus for the Transportation Division that can also accommodate a wheelchair bound passenger. The bus started its service in February, replacing a vehicle that’s been in service in 1994.

In addition, the Transportation Division works closely with other entities, such as Middlesex County, coordinating rides for our residents with the County Area Transit system. By working with these entities we are able to supplement our own shuttle services, and help get out residents around the entire county.

We wouldn’t be able to provide the free shuttle services without the help of county, state and federal grants, which help pay for the purchase and maintenance of our buses. Five of the division’s 11-buses were purchased with federal grants that U.S. Rep. Rush Holt helped secure.  
The Township will continue to find ways to make it even easier to use these transportation services.
    
For more information, contact the Transportation Division at (732) 521-6100 or visit our Web site www.monroetwp.com.
 

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