NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri speaks at the launch of CG Hopper, a new microtransit pilot serving portions of Camden and Gloucester counties.

Traveling from Point A to Point B can be challenging for New Jerseyans with disabilities and older adults seeking to access destinations both within and beyond their county of residence. Since 2021, researchers at the Rutgers Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC), part of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, have worked with transportation providers in New Jersey and across the country to explore how microtransit can improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. Led by Andrea Lubin, Managing Director of NJTIP, and Stephanie DiPetrillo, Senior Research Project Manager, the research and planning effort explored opportunities to create more seamless travel options within and across county lines. Their work helped inform the development of CG Hopper, a new microtransit pilot serving portions of Camden and Gloucester counties.

Through national and statewide outreach, the research identified challenges, opportunities, and implementation strategies for cross-county microtransit service. As plans for a South Jersey pilot advanced, Lubin and DiPetrillo continued working with project partners to translate research findings into an operational service. The study included demographic, transportation network, and accessibility analyses focused on key activity centers in Camden and Gloucester counties, helping identify areas where improved mobility options could provide the greatest benefit.

VTC researchers analyzed demographic, transportation, and mobility indicators to identify opportunities for improved cross-county travel connections in South Jersey.

That work helped lay the groundwork for the CG Hopper, a new microtransit pilot serving portions of Camden and Gloucester counties. Developed through a partnership among NJ TRANSIT, Senior Citizens United Community Services (SCUCS), Camden County, Gloucester County, and Via, CG Hopper is New Jersey’s first microtransit service specifically designed to expand transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities, improving access to essential destinations within and across county lines.

Beginning October 28, eligible riders have access to free, on-demand, curb-to-curb transportation throughout the service area. Operating Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., CG Hopper will provide same-day trip booking and connections to the broader NJ TRANSIT network, helping riders access healthcare, shopping, recreation, and other essential destinations.

VTC’s involvement will continue throughout the pilot as Lubin and DiPetrillo evaluate service performance and rider outcomes, generating insights to assess the pilot’s effectiveness and inform future microtransit planning and mobility initiatives in New Jersey.

Related Link: NJ TRANSIT Introduces Free Pilot Microtransit Service for Seniors and People with Disabilities