June 2011 NJTPA m o b i ml ai tt ty e r s Transportation Issues in the NJTPA Region

The First and Last Mile Helping Commuters Get To and From Transit

he choice between commuting by car or public transportation often comes down to the trip’s first and last mile. While trains and buses operating on fixed routes offer T potentially attractive commuting options—sparing residents the cost and hassles of driving—if commuters can’t conveniently get from their homes to the train or bus, or

get to their work destination once their June 2011 June train or bus arrives, taking transit is not a realistic choice. Transportation planners call this the “last mile” problem.

This issue of Mobility Matters highlights some of the efforts in northern to help commuters make that last mile connection. From grant-assisted private shuttle services to encouraging safe, walkable streets, to infrastructure upgrades at NJ Transit hubs, these efforts are helping make the transit system more accessible and getting many thousands of cars off the roads each day. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) has been a strong partner with NJ Transit, state and federal transportation continued on page 2

according to Rose Brand Director After Final Curtain at Former Plant, Theater of Administration Mitch Gottlieb. Supplier Works with TMA on New Commute Shortly after the move, the Transportation Management  A Meadowlink shuttle ollowing a nine-decade of whom lived in the city. Association (TMA) Meadowlink drops off workers run in Manhattan, Rose Rose Brand’s new building contacted the company to discuss in the Harmon Cove Brand, the maker of stage was a short drive from the launching a shuttle from the area of Secaucus. F curtains and backdrops for station to the office area. Gottlieb clients ranging from Broadway in the township’s Harmon Cove said his company “jumped at shows to “Saturday Night Live,” area, but too far for commuters the chance.” readied for its next act in 2007— to walk. Finding a convenient The Harmon Cove-Secaucus relocation across the Hudson. way to connect workers between Junction Shuttle is one of several The skyrocketing rents for a those two points was key, of its kind run by Meadowlink. large warehousing space like According to Assistant Rose Brand’s made the move Executive Director Avnish a financial no-brainer, but Gupta, Meadowlink matches worries remained whether the local employers who are company could hold on to all willing to contribute to shuttle of its workers, the majority continued on page 5 Last Mile also a critical issue for travelers designed to help increase travel continued from page 1 who have special needs or options for people with disabilities. don’t own cars. Community In addition, the NJTPA supports agencies, nonprofit organizations shuttles can fill important gaps the work of its 15 subregions (the and the private sector in helping in areas underserved by public 13 counties and two cities expand transit opportunities for transportation. Northern New represented on its Board) to commuters. As highlighted in this Jersey’s nonprofit Transportation explore the needs and options for publication, there are a host of Management Associations “By offering last mile commuting options and (TMAs) are playing a valuable more and better services in northern New Jersey. role in working with private “Plan 2035, the NJTPA’s businesses to arrange shuttles options for long-range transportation plan that help their workers last-mile travel, for the region, stresses the reach the office each day. importance of expanding transit The NJTPA Board of Trustees “The NJTPA we can help options, supporting walking and supports such services through is looking ensure that all biking and making travel safer,” three federal grant programs: Job to give of the network’s said Union County Freeholder Access and Reverse Commute and NJTPA Chairman Daniel (JARC), geared toward linking people a better quality of life components Sullivan. “With our investments, low-income workers with job and help workers leave function at the NJTPA is looking to give centers; Congestion Mitigation their cars in the driveway.” their best.” people a better quality of life and and Air Quality Improvement help workers leave their cars in (CMAQ), established to support —Union County Freeholder the driveway.” efforts that lessen traffic and air —Morris County Daniel Sullivan, NJTPA Chairman­ Freeholder Gene F. Last-mile transportation is pollution; and New Freedom, Feyl, NJTPA First Vice Chairman­ improving access to transit throughout the region. “Northern New Jersey is home to one of the nation’s best- balanced transportation networks, which includes passenger rail service, superhighways and one of the largest bus systems in the U.S.,” Morris County Freeholder and NJTPA First Vice Chairman Gene F. Feyl said. “By offering more and better options for  The NJTPA has last-mile travel, we can help programs in place that ensure that all of the network’s support shuttles and components function at their other services that help best.” commuters reach transit For more on the NJTPA and hubs and job centers. its work, visit NJTPA.org. É

NJTPA Board of Trustees

The NJTPA is the Mobility Matters is published by the Hon. Daniel P. Sullivan, Hon. James F. Lacey—Freeholder, Ocean federally authorized North Jersey Transportation Planning Chairman—Union County Freeholder County Metropolitan Planning Authority, Inc. with funding from the Federal Hon. Pasquale “Pat” Lepore—Freeholder, , First Vice Chairman— Organization (MPO) for Transit Administration and the Federal Hon. Gene F. Feyl Passaic County Highway Administration. The NJTPA is Morris County Freeholder the 6.6 million people Hon. Peter S. Palmer—Freeholder, Somerset solely responsible for its contents. , Second Vice Chairman— in the 13-county northern New Jersey Hon. Tom DeGise County region. The NJTPA oversees ­­the investment Executive Director: Mary K. Murphy Hudson County Executive Hon. Susan M. Zellman—Freeholder, Sussex , Third Vice Chairman— of $1 billion in transportation funding. The Managing Editor: Karl Vilacoba Hon. Matthew Holt County NJTPA evaluates and approves proposed Contributing Editors: David Behrend, Hunterdon County Freeholder Hon. Jason Sarnoski—Freeholder, Warren transportation improvement projects Ted Ritter, Mark Solof , Secretary—Essex Hon. Joseph DiVincenzo County and provides a forum for interagency Design: Dralyn Veech County Executive Deborah L. Gramiccioni—Governor’s cooperation and public input into funding New Jersey Institute of Technology —Bergen County Host Agency: Hon. Kathleen A. Donovan Representative decisions. It also sponsors and conducts Executive studies, assists county planning agencies Inquiries should be addressed to: James Simpson—Commissioner, NJDOT The North Jersey Transportation Hon. Jerramiah T. Healy—Mayor, Jersey City and monitors compliance with national air Planning Authority, Inc. James Weinstein—Executive Director, quality goals. The NJTPA serves the fourth Hon. Charles E. Tomaro—Freeholder, One Newark Center, 17th Floor NJ Transit most populous MPO region in the country. Middlesex County Newark, New Jersey 07102­­ Christopher O. Ward—Executive Director, —Freeholder, NJTPA Board meetings are held bi-monthly Phone: 973.639.8400 Hon. Thomas A. Arnone Port Authority of NY and NJ and are open to the public. Fax: 973.639.1953 Monmouth County www.njtpa.org Hon. Cory A. Booker—Mayor, City of Newark

2 | The Last Mile the Convent, Madison and  Sussex County’s Chatham rail stations. complete streets study • Sussex County Complete Streets seeks to make the Study: Undertake the research roads safer and more necessary to establish a accessible for all users in countywide complete streets towns like Newton. policy, which will include Bottom, a pedestrian strategies for safer access to public transportation. crosses Easton Avenue in Somerset. The following FY 2010-11 Subregional Studies contain elements related to last-mile transportation issues:

• Easton Avenue Corridor Study, NJTPA Studies Help Travelers Finish Their Trips Somerset and Middlesex counties: Focuses on expanding he NJTPA’s Subregional bicycle and pedestrian access public transportation service Studies Program has helped to transit. between the Bound Brook develop a variety of solutions • Liberty State Park Circulator and New Brunswick train T for residents and workers Cost-Benefit Analysis, Jersey stations and Rutgers University trying to complete the last leg of City: Analyze options for for students and workers. “We expect that their trips. transit service from the Liberty Also emphasizes improving the study’s The program facilitates State Park light rail station, pedestrian/bicycle safety. collaborative planning efforts throughout the 1,200-acre • Ocean County Pedestrian findings will between the NJTPA, its partner parkarea to nearby residential Strategies: Examines strategies provide important agencies, counties and developments and businesses. for connecting the Barnegat municipalities to • Morris Canal Branch Trail to the Toms lessons not just craft local Greenway Plan, River business district as for Hudson County, transportation Jersey City: well as the feasibility of but anywhere improvement Prepare a plan for developing the New Egypt strategies rooted in a bicycle and Bike Path and connecting it in our state that Plan 2035, the pedestrian path to key local destinations. has a significant NJTPA’s Regional along the former • Expansion of Transit Transportation Morris Canal Linkages on the Route 9 jitney presence.” Plan (RTP). route. Plan would Corridor, Middlesex County: —Hudson County “Sometimes even places with include links to local transit Produces recommendations Executive Tom DeGise, the best-balanced transportation stops. for expanded transit services NJTPA Second systems are missing important • Route 124 Corridor Transit to connect busy park and Vice Chairman­ links. This program has helped Access Improvement Study, rides to major residential identify those needs and figure Morris County: Study options developments in Old Bridge, out how best to fill them,” said for improving transit access to Sayreville and South River. É Hunterdon County Freeholder and NJTPA Third Vice Chairman Matthew Holt. NJTPA Study Examines Jitney Issues in Hudson County The NJTPA Board of Trustees approved $2.7 million for The NJTPA is conducting a study that “We expect that the study’s findings will 11 studies in the FY 2011-12 will identify ways to better integrate and provide important lessons not just for Hudson Subregional Studies Program, and regulate jitney operations throughout Hudson $2.4 million for 11 studies in the County, but anywhere in our state that has a FY 2010-11 cycle. County. Jitneys are small buses that travel on significant jitney presence,” Hudson County The following FY 2011-12 fixed or semi-fixed routes, operate on flexible Executive and NJTPA Second Vice Chairman Subregional Studies contain schedules, and have the ability to pick up and Tom DeGise said. elements related to last-mile drop off riders along the way. The term jitney The study builds on the work of the transportation issues: comes from an old-time name for the nickel, NJTPA’s Hudson County Bus Circulation and once a standard fare for riding. Infrastructure Study, completed in 2007. The • River Road/Hudson Waterfront While Hudson County commuters rely on jitney study will undertake a more detailed Corridor Strategy, Bergen these services, their rapid growth and a lack County: Develop concepts for analysis of jitneys, including a review of improving mobility along the of local regulation have led to some complaints interstate and intrastate operations, and River Road Corridor in in Hudson County towns pertaining to safety research into the legal options of regulating Edgewater and Fort Lee, issues, traffic congestion and competition with services. The project is expected to conclude including options for bettering fixed-route transit operations. this summer.

The Last Mile | 3  A Middlesex County Over 40 percent of its trips in Area Transit shuttle 2010 were for employment, picks up passengers largely in the 8A area. in Old Bridge. A pair of other lines also terminate near 8A—the M2, which starts at Brunswick Square Mall in East Brunswick, and the M6, which stretches to Princeton Junction rail station, a stop that is actually in Mercer County. The M4 “BrunsQuick” line is the system’s most successful in terms of ridership, having recorded 113,000 passenger trips Middlesex Shuttles Fill Transit Gaps for in 2010. The M4 is a localized urban shuttle that stops at key Riders of All Needs human services offices, Robert Wood Johnson University iddlesex County Area “We put our focus on making Hospital, the New Brunswick Transit’s (MCAT) public transportation available and Jersey Avenue rail stations, Community Shuttle in areas that are underserved,” and other destinations in North M Program has traveled a said Steven Fittante, Director Brunswick and New Brunswick. long way since its origin as a of the Middlesex County MCAT plans to launch a new one-vehicle operation in 2004— Department of Transportation, line, the M7, by late this summer. 500,000 miles last year alone, which oversees MCAT. The shuttle will run from the in fact. To ensure the shuttles are South Amboy rail station and Today, MCAT shuttles handle accessible for all—particularly waterfront to the Brunswick 325,000 passenger trips per year seniors on fixed incomes, the Square Mall, serving residential via a half-dozen routes that disabled and low-income areas, employment centers, and provide access to key destinations residents—a modest fare is commuter bus stops on Route 9. The service recently began using global positioning system (GPS) technology and mobile computers to help measure the system’s performance. With these tools, MCAT can track its vehicles and collect passenger data that will help it run the system more efficiently, according to Fittante. Beyond rider fares, the system is supported by a combination of municipal and county funding, grants, donations, ad revenues and other sources. The NJTPA has provided federal funding for MCAT through the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) and New Freedom programs. “MCAT’s shuttles improve the quality of life for thousands throughout the portion of the suggested, but not mandatory. of residents by providing reliable, county south of the Raritan MCAT’s original line, the affordable transportation to the River. The routes, numbered M1 M1, remains one of its flagship places they need to reach most,” through M6, connect passengers services. The 21-mile route said Middlesex County from transit hubs to job centers, (MCAT’s longest) begins at New Freeholder and NJTPA Board apartment complexes to shopping Brunswick Train Station, heads member Charles E. Tomaro. malls, age-restricted communities south through the Rutgers area, For more on MCAT’s routes to hospitals. To assist riders with North and South Brunswicks and other public transportation special needs, the shuttles can and Jamesburg, terminating options in Middlesex County, deviate from their routes upon in the warehouse district near visit KMM.org and click on advance request. New Jersey Turnpike Exit 8A. the “Mass Transit” link. É

4 | The Last Mile same time—a concierge service now handles approximately Maplewood Jitney that would finish errands for 7,800 individual trips every day. Lines Grow in riders by the time they returned Since 1999, NJ Transit has to Maplewood. administered its Community Popularity, Riders The jitney saw somewhere Shuttle Program, funded in the neighborhood of 100 trips through the NJTPA by the ourteen years after the a day in its first few weeks, but federal Congestion Mitigation  Maplewood Township, Maplewood Jitney first hit grew rapidly. There are now and Air Quality program. It Essex County, operates the streets of this Essex three routes that serve the town provides capital funding for three shuttle routes F County community, it’s more (one stops in nearby Millburn). buses and operating assistance between its local popular than ever, transporting Riders can pay a $1 fare or get an for the first three years of neighborhoods and the thousands of daily riders through annual pass for $80. The shuttle a shuttle’s existence. É train station. the town’s tree-lined streets to the local train station. The service arose in response to a 1996 proposal to build a new parking lot at the Maplewood Station on the then-new MidTown Direct line. Ridership was growing, and local neighborhood streets around the station were becoming overwhelmed by parked cars. Eager to preserve the character of its historic rail station, Maplewood opted to provide jitney service to residents using grant money from a nonprofit. Another key attraction for commuters arose around the

After Final Curtain nonprofit organizations via short-range shuttle services. continued from page 1 established to work with Morris County-based employers and governments to TransOptions has been working services and works to secure grant help provide more effective and with tenants of the Giralda funding to offset the costs. efficient commuting and other Farms corporate office complex, “The companies who move transportation options. Northern Madison, on expanding an out of New York City get a huge New Jersey’s seven TMAs work existing shuttle service to and savings in real estate costs and closely with the private sector, from Convent Train Station. they’re happy to put a portion of assisting companies with The TMA helped launch the that money toward transportation organizing vanpools, educating shuttle and ran it for several costs,” Gupta said. workers on their public transit years before ultimately handing Although any member of the options, providing emergency off control to the coalition of public can ride the shuttle, its ride home programs, and many Giralda tenants, led by Maersk. main users are employees of other resources. TransOptions is now assisting Rose Brand and nearby ARRI Some other TMAs in the the companies with examining CSC, a camera equipment supplier region are working to help pricing and service options for the broadcast and film workers finish their commutes from a private shuttle vendor. industries. The vehicles Hudson TMA’s stop by the office every Kearny Shuttle provides 10 minutes during the affordable round-trip morning and evening service from the Harrison rush hours. PATH station to North “We got hit by the Arlington along the recession like everyone Frank E. Rodgers else, but we never even Boulevard/Kearny had a discussion about Avenue/Ridge Road  A Meadowlink shuttle not paying for the corridor. shuttle,” Gottlieb said. For more on line helped Rose Brand “That says a lot about the region’s TMAs, keep its workforce intact what that service means visit NJTPA.org and following a move from to us right there.” enter “TMA” in the Manhattan to northern TMAs are private search box. É New Jersey.

The Last Mile | 5 Key Park & Ride Locations in North Jersey

É Metropark (Woodbridge): 3,700 parking spots, access to NEC rail and local shuttle buses É Vince Lombardi Park and Ride (near Turnpike Interchange 17): 1,000 parking spots, access to express buses É North Bergen Park and Ride (near the approach to the Lincoln Tunnel): 1,500 parking Commuters must arrive early Driving to Transit spaces served by express bus in the morning to get a spot or Park and ride lots put their name on waiting lists service to the New York Port throughout the region for a coveted parking permit. Authority Bus Terminal serve as gathering points NJ Transit in the last several É Liberty State Park Park for drivers from far- years has eased the burdens and Ride (Jersey City): 1,200 flung areas, providing through the creation of new lots nearly 100,000 parking in outlying locations, adjacent parking spots, access to Hudson- spots statewide in lots owned to highways. The agency is Bergen Light Rail, local buses by NJ Transit, municipalities exploring new financing options,  Park and rides like É Ramsey Route 17 Station: and private owners. such as a greater role for the those at the Willowbrook 1,200-space parking deck, In some cases, driving to private sector, which may bring Mall (top) in Wayne, the bus or train is a challenge. opportunities to expand capacity. access to Bergen-Main rail line Passaic County, and Particularly at many train With a little homework and É Montclair State Metropark (right), stations built in the densest schedule juggling, residents in University Station: Middlesex County, enable parts of the region, parking is many areas of the region can find 1,500-space parking deck, thousands of workers limited and towns are reluctant options to drive to the bus or access to Montclair-Boonton reach jobs in New York to expand parking for fear of train to avoid auto commuting. City each day. attracting increased traffic. The Wayne Route 23 Transit rail line Center, opened in 2008, is an example of a regional park and The Station Cars with a Green Future? ride that can serve commuters living in suburban areas. It is a multimodal center, with 1,000 Station cars—those notoriously beat-up second cars parking spots near Routes 80, used daily for short trips to and from the bus or train—may 46 and 23 where commuters can be poised for a green makeover. The downside for drivers catch trains on the Montclair- has always been that these old vehicles are gas guzzlers, Boonton rail line to New York and for society, that they’re bad for the environment. Enter Penn Station as well as buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. the electric vehicle. Not far away is the The introduction of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf in Willowbrook Mall Park and opened in 2010 at the Harrison the fall—which each get the equivalent of almost 100 miles Ride, where commuters can PATH rail station. Other major per gallon—has opened up a potential market for green access over 800 green-lined spots transit hubs that offer options for station cars: park your EV at a charger-equipped park and set aside in the mall’s parking drivers are listed above. ride lot and have it fully charged by the time you return. lot to board buses to the Port Private bus companies offer Authority. Other shopping numerous park and ride lots Edison Parkfast has installed charging equipment centers in the region, such the served by interstate bus routes. at its parking lots at the Secaucus rail station and in lots Freehold and Livingston malls, Academy Bus Company, for in downtown Jersey City and Newark. The New Jersey offer daily commuter parking. instance, operates along the Garden Legislature is Among the notable parking State Parkway with pickups at considering a six-bill additions in the past two years the PNC Bank Arts Center and package that would were 1,100 privately operated rest areas along the route. spots opened at the Secaucus NJTransit.com offers detailed create incentives Junction station in 2009, a information on available parking and requirements 477-space parking expansion at at its stations. Google.com/transit for charging stations the Edison train station in 2010 also offers transit commuting throughout the state. and the 1,400-car parking deck options. É

6 | The Last Mile Transportation Agencies Take Steps to Make good lighting and lively street life along the route have been the Walk to Transit Easier, Safer found to encourage longer trips. Improving the walking hether it’s a 500-foot trip are seeking to make “walkable to environment is a focus of from the car to the train transit” a selling point for filling “complete streets” policies which platform or a brisk new homes, offices and retail have been adopted by the state half-mile hike from outlets. Research suggests that and a growing number of towns W “Creating a home to the bus, nearly all transit people will generally walk about and counties. They encourage trips begin or end with an a quarter of a mile to stations. safer streets that lessen conflicts complete street exercise of shoe leather. An NJ Transit report estimated a among cars, pedestrians and A significant share of NJ reasonable walking distance to transit. “Creating a complete means creating a Transit capital spending focuses be up to 15 minutes or up to street means creating a place place where people on the walking-transit interface, one-half mile. where people can consider can consider including upgrading alternatives to driving, train stations to include such as taking the bus, alternatives to elevators and high-level biking or walking as a driving, such as platforms. Facilitating daily part of their lives,” taking the bus, access for the disabled, said Sussex County elderly and others who Freeholder and NJTPA biking or walking may have mobility Board member Susan as a daily part of limitations is a key goal. M. Zellman. Sussex The placement and County will begin their lives.” design of bus stops is work on a complete —Sussex County also receiving attention. streets study this Freeholder Susan For example, the summer (see page 3). Zellman, NJTPA Board NJTPA just completed The NJTPA has also member a study with NJ Transit promoted improved exploring measures to pedestrian environments improve safety for bus through a series of  Studies show a variety riders at many thousands Walkable Community of factors, such as safe of stops, such as pedestrian signs/ The walking environment Workshops that allow local sidewalks and good signals, pavement markings also matters. The presence of leaders, residents and police to lighting, can influence and area illumination. pedestrian-friendly factors like tour areas together and discuss riders to walk further Towns and private companies safe and convenient sidewalks, ways to make them safer. É distances to transit.

NJ Transit Accommodations Help Riders Bike the First and Last Miles

NJ Transit has strived to accommodate bicyclists É Bikes can only board at “accessible stations” with at its train stations and aboard its buses and trains, high-level platforms as indicated on the NJ Transit particularly since the 1992 debut of its “Bike Aboard” system maps and timetables and must use train program. There’s no extra charge or permit required for doors identified with wheelchair symbol (usually the riders to bring bikes aboard NJ Transit vehicles. center doors). About 90 percent of NJ Transit’s train stations É Lightweight folding or collapsible bikes usually can are equipped with bike parking racks be brought aboard at any time. and/or storage lockers, collectively É As part of the “Rack n’ Roll” program, providing room for more than 2,300 about half of NJ Transit’s bus fleet bikes. Here are some things for riders have special bike racks on the front to know: buses. Some buses may also have É The racks are free and the enclosed room for bikes in under-floor luggage storage lockers can be rented— compartments. Ask the driver to use  NJ Transit has widened see signs on them for local contact the racks or compartments. No tandem its accommodations in information. bikes or child carriers. recent years for bus and train riders who wish to É Bikes are typically permitted aboard • On-bus bike racks can be used at bring along bicycles. only during non-peak travel hours and all times, but only two bikes can be always at the discretion of train crews. accommodated at a time (first come). É Bikes are allowed on “reverse peak” trains (those For more on NJ Transit’s Bike Aboard program, visit traveling against the primary commuter flow) even NJTransit.com and click the Rider Guide tab at the top during peak periods. of the page and then click Bike Program for details.

The Last Mile | 7 Pre-Sorted First Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid New Brunswick, NJ Permit No. 184

One Newark Center, 17th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102

June 2011 NJTPA m o b i ml ai tt ty e r s Transportation Issues in the NJTPA Region

In This Issue

É Community Shuttles

É Northern New Jersey’s Park and Rides

É Biking and Walking to Transit

É NJTPA Transportation Studies

 Commuters arrive by bike, shuttle and car at Maplewood Train Station, Essex County. www.njtpa.org