Camden Community Partnership and Via launch an app-based, on-demand public transit program in Camden, NJ
July 13, 2023 (CAMDEN, NJ) — Today, Camden Community Partnership (“CCP”), a private nonprofit driven by progress and focused on equity, and Via, the global leader in TransitTech, are proud to announce the launch of the Camden Loop, a new innovative on-demand, app-based public transit service designed to fill transportation access gaps in the city of Camden, NJ.
Camden Loop utilizes innovative technology to expand access to affordable, efficient, and equitable public transportation for the Camden community. By using the Camden Loop app (available in the App Store and Google Play), residents and workers in the service zone area can book an on-demand public transit ride to easily and affordably connect with NJ Transit and PATCO stations, work, errands, and more.
"In Camden, we believe that every resident deserves access to good jobs and a chance to build a better future,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. “The Camden Loop plays a vital role in achieving that vision, as it connects our residents to employment centers and unlocks doors to new opportunities. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to ensuring Camden's continued upward trajectory and an improved quality of life for our citizens."
This new and innovative service aims to meet the needs of Camden residents accessing employment in the City of Camden as well as providing efficient connections to public transit options outside the city. Additionally, the service also looks to support Camden residents with transportation to access health care appointments, healthy food options including fresh produce, and other similar services to support improved social determinants of health outcomes, and help them with access to other needs, while reducing the transportation barrier.
"We believe that transportation should never be a barrier to accessing meaningful job opportunities or having reliable access to other services that impact the social determinants of health for Camden residents,” added Dana Redd, President and CEO of Camden Community Partnership. “With the launch of the Camden Loop, we are breaking down these barriers and providing our residents with a convenient and reliable way to commute. By connecting Camden residents to employment centers, we are focused on providing equitable access and building a thriving community."
Camden Loop initially launched on June 13th as CCP and Via initiated the rollout and introduction of services across the city to residents. The services are now fully integrated. Residents are utilizing the services provided through branded mini-van vehicles that are highly visible across the city. During the soft launch, the services were provided at no cost for the first month. The $2 cost per ride will begin on or about July 17th. Camden Loop will also develop and offer monthly passes and a bundle package for rides at a reduced cost, to provide residents with affordable options. These options will be rolled out in the near future.
“Via is thrilled to partner with Camden Community Partnership to bring 21st-century public transportation to the people of Camden,” said Eric Gardiner, East Coast Partnerships Director at Via. “Camden Loop will make it easier for the Camden community to live, work, and play by providing a flexible and equitable way to get from Point A to Point B without needing a private car. We are confident that this program will transform mobility in the city, and look forward to seeing other New Jersey communities follow Camden’s lead.”
“Easily accessible and quality transportation is vital to any community," Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane said. “The Camden Loop is a transformative venture that will give the residents of this city more options to access the communities within and beyond the city limits which will inevitably have a positive impact on things like the regional job market and economy as well as roadway congestion and more.”
Camden Loop uses advanced software from Via, the global leader in TransitTech solutions, to match riders headed in the same direction into one electric vehicle, creating quick and efficient shared trips that provide greater flexibility than traditional public transit. Via also powers hundreds of similar “microtransit” programs across the globe, including the successful Via Jersey City service, which launched in February 2020.
"As a proud resident of Camden, my first experience on the Camden Loop was truly remarkable. Not only was it convenient and easy to book a ride through the app, but I also had the pleasure of meeting a driver who lived in Camden too, fostering a sense of community that made the experience even more special," added Camden resident and Camden Loop rider Tameeka Mason.
Camden Loop will operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rides cost $2. Riders can pay through credit or debit card using the Camden Loop app or by phone. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available upon request.
How to ride with Camden Loop:
1. Download the Camden Loop app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Enter your pickup and drop-off address. Choose the ride that works best for you by tapping Book This Ride.
3. Check the app to find out exactly where to meet your driver and vehicle – it may be a short walk from where you are to keep the trip efficient and affordable for everyone.
4. Riders without a smartphone can book a ride by calling 856-408-1669.
Camden Loop service zone:
To learn more about Camden Loop, please visit: https://city.ridewithvia.com/camden-loop
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About Camden Community Partnership:
As a private nonprofit organization driven by progress and focused on equity, Camden Community Partnership (“CCP”) is dedicated to a holistic approach to comprehensive community and economic revival of the City of Camden. Founded in 1984, CCP is dedicated to planning and implementing high quality urban redevelopment projects and programs to support the advancement of the City of Camden with a resident-first approach at its core. CCP continues its commitment to the city every day, as it remains dedicated and focused on supporting and advancing a portfolio of projects that includes transportation, and infrastructure improvements, parks and green space development, neighborhood initiatives and planning, sustainability and environmental justice improvements, and programs, arts and culture initiatives, connecting residents with employment opportunities, and much more. The strategic investments in these areas act as a catalyst for future growth and bring a renewed sense of pride in Camden as a vibrant place to live, work and play.
About Via:
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world's most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 600 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.