October 25, 2024 (PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ) — Passaic County is excited to announce the launch of a new microtransit program that will expand transportation options for residents in Passaic and Clifton, offering greater flexibility, accessibility, and convenience. The program is a significant step forward in the County’s ongoing commitment to providing equitable transit solutions that meet the needs of all community members.
The microtransit initiative is designed to complement existing transportation services, including Passaic County’s well-established paratransit service, which serves seniors, people with disabilities, and residents in need of assistance getting to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other essential locations.
Through this new program, powered by TransitTech provider Via, riders will benefit from on-demand, app-based transit services that operate with greater flexibility than traditional bus routes. The service will use smaller vehicles to enhance mobility options in areas that are not easily accessible by large buses or fixed transit routes. Additionally, the microtransit service will provide first/last mile transportation to and from transit stops and stations within the service area, increasing access to existing transit options across Passaic County. The microtransit vehicles will be equipped with accessibility features, ensuring that riders of all abilities can use the service.
“Passaic County is committed to improving transportation options that make a real difference in the lives of our residents,” said John Bartlett, Director of the Board of County Commissioners. “This micro-transit program will not only provide more flexible options for residents in urban and suburban areas but will also ensure that we continue to offer equitable and inclusive transit solutions.”
The program will also strengthen the existing paratransit services by expanding routes and increasing support for those who rely on transportation to maintain their independence and access essential services. Passaic County aims to improve both the speed and availability of its paratransit services, which already serve thousands of residents each year.
The new micro-transit system is expected to be operational in mid-2025 and will feature user-friendly booking through a mobile app, a phone hotline, and web-based options for those without smartphones.
Key Features of the new microtransit program:
- On-demand, app-based booking system
- Small, accessible vehicles designed for greater mobility in underserved areas
- Integration with Passaic County's existing paratransit services
- Expanded route options to serve more residents
- First/last mile connections to transit stops and stations within the service area
As part of the program’s launch, Passaic County is working closely with local municipalities, including Passaic and Clifton, to ensure that the service addresses the unique needs of each community.
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About Passaic County Paratransit Services
Passaic County Paratransit Services provide transportation assistance to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those in need of transportation support. The service operates throughout the County, helping residents access medical care, grocery shopping, and other essential services.
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 riders — 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 the 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 700 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.