NJ TRANSIT CONDUCTS THIRD PUBLIC FORUM ON ACCESSIBILITY
Forum Highlights the Agency’s Innovative Programs for Customers with Disabilities and Engages the Public for Feedback
June 27, 2023
NEWARK, NJ – Following two innovative Accessibility Forums in 2022, NJ TRANSIT has continued its commitment to engage and expand inclusion for customers with disabilities at its third public forum within a year. The forum was held today primarily as a virtual event via Zoom.
“Today’s forum exhibited NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to provide a world-class and accessible travel experience for our customers with disabilities,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “It was also an opportunity for us to engage with our customers to ensure they are experiencing the safest and best possible service they deserve.”
“The success of our third Accessibility Forum within the year highlights the strides we are making toward ensuring an inclusive and accessible travel experience for customers riding NJ TRANSIT,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “We remain committed to incorporating customer feedback to further inform our priorities and decision-making as we continue to make further accessibility improvements throughout our system.”
During the forum, NJ TRANSIT showcased its accessibility efforts from all areas of the organization. The forum provided the opportunity to educate and inform participants about the many ways NJ TRANSIT is working to provide a world-class travel experience for customers with disabilities. The forum also gave members of the public the opportunity to provide comments, offer feedback and ask questions related to NJ TRANSIT’s accessible services.
In May, NJ TRANSIT partnered with Uber and Lyft on a pilot program allowing Access Link users to opt in to receiving rides through the two services. The goal of this pilot program, called the Access Link Riders’ Choice Pilot Program, is to reduce wait and trip times while maintaining Access Link prices and the reservation process to which customers are accustomed. So far 2,872 customers have opted-in to the program and 17,419 trips have been provided.
NJ TRANSIT’S webpage https://www.njtransit.com/accessibility features an overview video about the many NJ TRANSIT services and features that make it accessible to all individuals, as well as easy-to-use links to specific information and informational videos, which are captioned in six languages in addition to English.
The videos, funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s Access and Mobility Partnership Grants program, cover several topics including information about vehicle and station accessibility, the Reduced Fare Program, community transportation services, and NJ TRANSIT’s Access Link paratransit service, including Access Link Online, where Access Link customers can manage their reservations and accounts.
Customers who were not able to attend the virtual meeting can view the presentation at njtransit.com/accessibility.
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 253 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.