A pilot program offering express shuttle bus service between Vineland and Atlantic City began Oct. 1.
The service is being operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) with the support of NJ Transit and connects casino workers and other commuters from Cumberland County to Atlantic City.
The pilot service features two express roundtrips each weekday, providing direct service between the Vineland Transportation Center and the Atlantic City Bus Terminal.
NJ Transit president and CEO Kris Kolluri and NJDOT Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair Fran O’Connor were on hand to announce the launch of the program and were joined by state Sen. Michael L. Testa, Jr. and Assemblymen Antwan L. McClellan and Assemblyman Erik K. Simonsen.
“This route will directly connect prospective workers to the many employment opportunities available in Atlantic City, while also filling a critical transportation need for South Jersey residents,” said O’Connor. “This initiative fully supports our mission of delivering reliable transportation options for all New Jerseyans.”
Kolluri added that the express shuttle “helps remove a key barrier for residents seeking employment in Atlantic City by making their commute more direct and efficient.”
McClellan tied the launch of the service to his own personal experience.
“When I worked at the Sands Casino, I saw firsthand how reliable transportation can open doors for families. This new route is an important first step in bringing the kind of transit investment South Jersey has long deserved,” said the Republican assemblyman representing Ocean City. “By connecting Vineland to Atlantic City, we are creating access for workers, visitors, and new opportunities, and ensuring our region receives the attention it has earned.”
The service will run a single bus on a split-shift schedule designed to align with local employer shift times. Departures from the Vineland Transportation Center are scheduled for 5:35 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., heading to the Atlantic City Bus Terminal. After a 45-minute layover, to accommodate employee shift changes, the return trips will depart the Atlantic City Bus Terminal at 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., arriving back at Vineland Transportation Center at 8:50 a.m. and 4:50 p.m., respectively.
Fares for the express bus service will be consistent with existing NJ Transit bus routes, with a proposed one-way fare of $6, in line with current NJ Transit bus ticket pricing. Existing NJ Transit monthly 8 zone bus passes will be honored by the SJTA for travel on the shuttle. Funding for the pilot will be sourced from NJ Transit Community Mobility programs, the New Jersey Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) initiative and other grants.
