NJ Transit's CG Hopper Is Now Rolling in Camden and Gloucester Counties — Free, On-Demand Rides for Riders 60 and Older and People With Disabilities
The 18-month pilot, operated by Via with Senior Citizens United Community Services and the two counties, runs five accessible minivans curb-to-curb across county lines — with Saturday and same-day service, and connections into NJ Transit's bus, rail and light rail network.
A new free ride service is on the road in South Jersey. NJ Transit, in partnership with Senior Citizens United Community Services, Camden County and Gloucester County, has introduced the CG Hopper — a free, on-demand shared-ride service operated by Via for seniors and people with disabilities, NJBiz reports. The service was introduced on October 28 and announced on October 29, and it gives eligible residents curb-to-curb transportation throughout designated areas in both counties — including, by design, trips that cross the county line, which county-run paratransit has historically handled awkwardly. It also connects residents to NJ Transit bus stops, rail and light rail stations, tying the door-to-door ride into the fixed-route network.
The operating details are concrete. Via will run the pilot for 18 months with five accessible Toyota Sienna minivans, offering extended service hours, Saturday service and same-day transportation. Eligibility is specific: all residents ages 60 and older, and people with disabilities, living in Camden and Gloucester counties. Riders already enrolled through Senior Citizens United Community Services or existing county transportation programs are automatically registered; new riders complete a one-time registration to confirm eligibility, and can then book through the CG Hopper mobile app, online or by phone, and travel with a companion or personal care attendant. Residents interested in registering can contact Senior Citizens United Community Services at 856-456-1121, the number published with the launch.
The pilot is also an experiment the state intends to learn from. NJ Transit will work with Rutgers University's Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center to analyze the program's results, and the partners will use the data to judge how similar services could be implemented elsewhere in New Jersey. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri described the launch, in the agency's announcement as reported by NJBiz, as a direct investment in South Jersey and the residents who count on accessible transportation most. For Camden and Gloucester riders who qualify, the practical change is immediate: a free ride that comes to the curb, runs on Saturdays, and can be booked the same day — in two counties where the alternative has often been planning a trip days ahead around a county boundary.
