A fleet of five wheelchair-accessible minivans is now crisscrossing Camden and Gloucester counties, offering free, on-demand rides to seniors and people with disabilities who need a lift to the bus stop, the train station, or just across town. The service, called CG Hopper, launched this week as an 18-month pilot aimed at closing gaps in a region where getting around without a car can be a real obstacle.
NJ TRANSIT announced the service's availability in a statement Wednesday, saying the Toyota Sienna minivans, operated by Via, will serve residents age 60 and older and people with disabilities across both counties, according to Camden County. The fleet provides shared rides throughout the designated service area, including trips that cross between the two counties, as reported by NJ.com. The on-demand rides also connect to NJ TRANSIT bus stops, rail stations, light rail stations, and Access Link paratransit, giving riders a free way to reach the wider regional transit network.
A Partnership Years in the Making
CG Hopper is the product of a partnership between NJ TRANSIT, Camden County government, Gloucester County government, Senior Citizens United Community Services, Via, and Rutgers University's Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center. NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri called the launch “a direct investment in South Jersey and residents who depend most on accessible transportation,” adding that the service “combines partner local expertise with NJ Transit's network to provide free flexible travel across county lines.”
Governor Mikie Sherrill also weighed in on the launch, saying reliable transportation helps people live independently and stay connected to loved ones. She added that the CG Hopper launch “makes everyday trips easier for seniors and New Jerseyans with disabilities in Camden and Gloucester counties.”
How to Book a Ride
Riders can book trips through the CG Hopper mobile app, a web app, or by phone. People already enrolled in transportation programs through SCUCS, Camden County, or Gloucester County will be automatically enrolled in CG Hopper, per NBC10 Philadelphia. First-time riders, however, must complete a one-time eligibility application through SCUCS or the Gloucester County Division of Transportation Services program before they can start booking.
Riders don't have to travel alone, either. The station's report notes that passengers may bring a companion, a personal care attendant, or a service animal along for the ride. Qualified residents interested in registering can contact SCUCS directly at (856) 456-1121, the county said.
Filling Gaps Left by Existing Services
The pilot is designed to supplement, not replace, transportation options already on the ground in South Jersey. Camden County residents have long relied on SEN-HAN Transit, the county's designated provider of senior and disabled transportation, which is administered by Senior Citizens United Community Services and open to residents 60 and older or those certified as disabled. But SEN-HAN rides require reservations made two days to two weeks in advance by phone, a scheduling window that leaves little room for same-day needs.
NJ TRANSIT's Access Link paratransit service presents similar limits. Access Link is designed for people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses or light rail, but it is not free — fares are based on the local bus fare, the number of zones traveled, and any transfer fees, and current users cannot book same-day trips, according to NorthJersey.com. NJ TRANSIT has separately been evaluating whether it could offer on-demand Access Link service, including what funding and resources that would require, the outlet reported. CG Hopper's extended service hours are meant to supplement those existing county programs rather than duplicate them.
