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CONFERENCE MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 2004
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Teresa Ruiz
September 1, 2004973-621-4404
Caryl Lucas
973-621-1590
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES THE
COUNTY’S EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION AWARENESS WEEK
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE HELPS ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS GET TO WORK;
NEW FLEET OF MINI BUSES ARE UNVEILED
East Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. joined staff from the Essex County Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment on Wednesday, September 1st to announce Essex County’s Transportation Awareness Week, August 30th to September 3rd. The week-long community outreach program is being conducted to raise awareness about the variety of free transportation services Essex County offers to eligible participants as part of its workforce development initiatives.
“Our goal is to not only to improve the quality of our transportation programs with reliable bus service and excellent customer service, but to do all we can to help our County residents obtain valuable job training and gain employment,” DiVincenzo said. “Without quality transportation, many of our clients would be unable to get to their interviews or their new jobs,” he added.
During the press conference at the Essex County Economic Development Center at 50 South Clinton Street in East Orange, DiVincenzo unveiled four new 21-passenger mini-buses that will be added to the fleet utilized by the Workforce Accessibility Vehicles of Essex (WAVE) program. Purchased for $238,880, the diesel-powered buses are equipped with integrated child safety seats, computerized cameras that will record accidents in which the bus is involved or incidents inside the bus, air conditioning, and ID scanners so Essex County can monitor what bus stops residents are using.
The WAVEProgram provides free shuttle service to residents participating in the County’s One-Stop Career Center or are enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). They receive free transportation to and from a network of 22 social service agencies, daycare facilities, job fairs, the Essex County Division of Welfare at 18 Rector Street and Essex County Hall of Records at 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
“The Essex County One-Stop Career Center has one of the premier transportation programs in the State of New Jersey,” said Ramos, noting that the Career Center and WAVE program work cooperatively. “Truly, Essex County is leading the State when it comes to providing transportation services to its One-Stop customers,” he added.
As part of the weeklong Transportation Awareness celebration, Ramos said clients will be able to pick up pamphlets and applications for the County’s various bus and shuttle services.
“We’re glad we can assist our clients and give them options to increase their chances of gaining meaningful employment,” said Betty Brown, Director of the Essex County Office of Workforce Development. “If they do not have reliable transportation, they will not be able to get to their job interviews or retain employment,” she added.
Other transportation programs available to eligible residents through the One-Stop Career Center are the Essex Night Owl, the Route 10 Shuttle and Meadowlands Shuttle. These free shuttle services are also available to County TANF clients and other eligible residents participating in one of the County’s employment training programs.
The Meadowlands Shuttle, which provided 21,000 rides during the last 12 months, is a free service for County residents seeking employment opportunities within three miles of Rutherford, Secaucus, Moonachie and surrounding areas. The shuttle is available weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Eligible passengers are picked up at the Rutherford Train Station and other predetermined pick-up areas in Newark and must call the Meadowlink Commuter Services Toll Free at 1 (866) 208-1307 to make arrangements. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
The Essex Night Owl, which gave 30,000 rides within the last year, provides free transportation weekdays from 1 to 5 a.m. for eligible residents from Newark, Orange, East Orange and Irvington. This service is designed to provide a transportation link to bus and rail services at Penn Station. First-time passengers are required to register for this program and make reservations at least 24 hours in advance by calling 1 (866) 208-1307.
The Route 10 Shuttle, which provided 20,000 rides in the last 12 months, offers weekly van service for eligible County residents who are seeking employment along the Route 10 corridor west of Murray Road to Jefferson Road. Van service is available seven days a week from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Passengers also may request service during mid-day, night and weekend shifts. Individuals seeking pickup must make a reservation 24 hours in advance by calling 1 (866) 208-1307.
As part of the Essex County transportation initiative, the Essex County Division on Aging offers free bus rides to County senior citizens and residents with disabilities through its Special Transportation System. Residents should call (973) 678-1300 to request a ride.
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