NJ TRANSIT to Expand Options for Access Link Customers

In an effort to expand options for Access Link customers, NJ TRANSIT announced it is partnering with Uber and Lyft on a pilot program allowing Access Link users to opt-in to receive rides through the two services. 

NJ TRANSIT's Goal for Access Link

The goal of 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. 

“NJ TRANSIT strives to provide efficient and reliable transportation services to all of our customers, particularly those who are the most vulnerable,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, NJ TRANSIT Board chair. “The Riders’ Choice Pilot Program will improve Access Link reliability while offering additional transportation options to customers of this crucial service.” 

Partnership Benefits

With this new partnership, Uber and Lyft drivers will now be available to supplement Access Link services as needed only if the customer opts in to utilize the pilot program. Customers who do not opt into the pilot program will continue to have all of their trips serviced by the current Access Link providers.

Benefits of the pilot program include:     

• Improvement of on-time performance and productivity.
• Decreased missed trips.
• Improvement in retention of Access Link drivers.

Before scheduling a trip, Access Link customers in the Riders’ Choice Pilot Program must update their profile to indicate which rideshare service, Uber or Lyft, they would like to use.  

Customers also have the option to indicate they have no preference and are willing to utilize both providers.

Use of the Uber or Lyft app is not necessary, and customers will not be required to contact either company directly.

The determination to dispatch Uber or Lyft in lieu of an Access Link vehicle will be made based on the best available scheduling option. 

The pilot program has started in Regions 2 and 5, which include Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties and parts of Cumberland County, and may expand to additional counties statewide.