NJ TRANSIT UNVEILS NEW 'GO BUS' SERVICE IN NEWARK AND IRVINGTON |
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NJ Transit
Source: PressReleasePoint.com
4 April 2008
Enhanced bus service begins April 7 along busy Springfield Avenue corridor
NJT-08-026
NEWARK, NJ - NJ TRANSIT gave local officials a sneak preview today of "Go Bus" - the state's first "premium" local bus service - offering enhanced amenities and greater convenience to customers along the Springfield Avenue corridor beginning Monday, April 7.
The enhanced service, which was designed by and for customers, paves the way for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the state.
NJ TRANSIT incorporated customer feedback into every aspect of the service - from the custom bus shelters and unique color scheme to the name "Go Bus" itself.
"With the introduction of its new 'Go Bus' - which offers a streamlined service with fewer stops to help reduce travel time - NJ TRANSIT is making an important first step toward implementing bus rapid transit in New Jersey," said U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne. "Improvements like these are key to updating the state's bus network and giving our residents attractive public transportation options."
"The new 'Go Bus' provides a premium level of service to customers along one of the busiest transit corridors in New Jersey," said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris Kolluri. "This innovative approach to offering improved bus service is a first in the state and moves us toward improving mass transit on our roadways."
"As a representative of this district, I recognize the vital role that access to convenient, affordable transportation plays in the daily lives of Newark and Irvington residents," said State Senator Ronald L. Rice, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. "The launch of this new, enhanced bus service marks an exciting start to a new era of public transportation in these communities."
Following an opening ceremony at Irvington Bus Terminal, a special trip of the 'Go Bus' operated along its route down Springfield Avenue to an inaugural ceremony at Newark Penn Station.
"Through 'Go Bus,' we are offering these communities a customer-focused service designed by the people who know best what works for them - the residents who live here and use the service," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. "As we work toward modernizing our bus service throughout the state, the Go Bus program will serve as a model for other heavily-traveled corridors and will give us a platform to add features associated with BRT systems."
Serving the 4.8 mile corridor between Irvington Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station, Go Bus will operate 16 trips each weekday along Springfield Avenue and Market Street, adding capacity to the corridor for customers of NJ TRANSIT's existing No. 25 bus route.
"Involving the community has been a staple of my administration, and I applaud NJ TRANSIT for partnering with people who ride the buses to help develop this innovative service," said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. "Our county roads have a pivotal role in our transportation network, and I look forward to working with NJ TRANSIT, the City of Newark and the Township of Irvington to identify other opportunities to enhance our residents' quality of life."
"We are excited to see the end result of working with NJ TRANSIT to deliver this new service to our residents," said Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith. "The enhanced bus service is a welcome addition to our community."
Designed with input from riders in the community at every stage, the new service showcases a unique identity and offers easily identifiable, enhanced bus stops and upgraded onboard amenities. To gather customer feedback, NJ TRANSIT conducted focus groups of current and potential customers on the No. 25 line, who selected the 'Go Bus' name and helped to design every element of the vehicles and service.
"Our input was very important to NJ TRANSIT in developing this service," said Go Bus Customer Representative Polly Adu. "Go Bus was created for customers by customers."
Go Bus service will operate during weekday morning and evening peak hours, with buses departing Irvington Bus Terminal every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and Newark Penn Station every 15 minutes from 4:05 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.
The service has 11 fixed 'super stops' for faster trip times between Irvington Terminal and Newark Penn Station - approximately 21 minutes to Newark Penn Station and 22 minutes to Irvington Bus Terminal. Each stop outside the Downtown area is easily identified with a new weather-protected shelter in Go Bus green and blue. The bus will not stop at locations that are not designated for Go Bus.
Go Bus 'super stops' are located at:
Using a dedicated fleet of five buses, Go Bus features onboard enhancements for added customer comfort such as custom-upholstered cushion seating, newly revitalized coaches and convenient hand straps. Each bus is clearly marked with the Go Bus logo and identifying color scheme.
Additional Go Bus customer benefits include:
On the first day of service, Monday, April 7, NJ TRANSIT ambassadors will be on hand at each of the Go Bus super stops to answer questions about the new Go Bus service. The ambassadors will give customers environmentally friendly re-usable shopping bags and bus pass-holders provided by Berkeley College, as well as an IDT phone card and discount coupons from local businesses.
"We are delighted to participate in the launch of this new service because it demonstrates a commitment to and investment in the residents of Irvington and Newark, and that matches our mission," said Berkeley College Chairman Kevin L. Luing. Students will be able to make a convenient transfer at Market and Broad streets for bus service to the college.
The one-way fare for Go Bus is $1.35 (same as the current No. 25 and 25X lines for the same trip).
For complete information about Go Bus schedules, fares and onboard amenities, visit www.njtransit.com/gobus.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing nearly 865,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.