The Hunterdon County LINK is now offering service from Flemington to Raritan Valley Community College and Bridgewater Commons Mall.
A new bus route will be added to the Hunterdon County LINK Transportation System providing weekday service from Flemington to Raritan Valley Community College and Bridgewater Commons Mall, it was announced Monday.
Service will begin on Monday, March 14, and will be known as Bridgewater Express Service-Route 23, providing weekday service from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The bus will operate from a new LINK Bus Transfer Center, located in the Hunterdon County Jury Parking lot, Park Avenue and Capner Street in Flemington, with stop locations at the King's in Whitehouse, Raritan Valley Community College, the ShopRite in Branchburg and the Bridgewater Commons Mall.
"The service announced today is only a part of making the LINK ever more relevant for today's riders and for those who seek better options for public transportation," said Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Suzanne Lagay.
"We are extremely grateful to the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders for their visionary action in creating the new bus route that will expand opportunities for residents to attend the college," Raritan Valley Community College President Michael J. McDonough said Tuesday. "We appreciate their ongoing support of the College and commitment to enhance educational access.
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"More than a quarter of our students come from Hunterdon County, and I expect that number to grow once the new bus service is running."
The new service is being funded through a $200,000 federal "Innovation Non Urbanized Area Formula Program" grant that Hunterdon County received in January. The county will provide $50,000 as part of a required local "match" of the grant funds.
"This grant provides us with the opportunity to provide the out of county transportation that residents have been requesting for several years," said Lagay.
The new service will provide connections to other transportation services including the NJ TRANSIT #114/117 Bus Line and the Somerset County CAT and SCOOT Bus Services.
"This new service is a first step in developing the type of local public transportation network that we have envisioned for our region," said Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt.
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The fare for the new Route 23 service will be $2 per day, unlimited boarding, and will be paid by passengers on board the vehicle. Exact change is required. Raritan Valley Community College students who show a valid student ID card to the driver will have their fare waived for an introductory period from March 14 to May 13.
Senior citizens will have their fare waived every Wednesday if they board the bus at the Hunterdon County Senior Center, Gauntt Place, Flemington.
"The timing of the new bus service is significant," said McDonough. "It will provide access to the college for Hunterdon County students who will soon be home from college for the summer and are looking to save money on tuition by earning credits at RVCC.
"This is also a decisive time for high school seniors who are in the process of selecting colleges for the fall. The new bus route makes RVCC an attractive option to students who are seeking high quality, affordable education that is accessible by public transportation."
Other LINK service enhancements announced Monday include:
Routes 16, 19, 21 (formerly Flemington Shuffle Service)
The service known as the "Flemington Shuffle- Route 19/20" will now be known as Route 16 and Route 19 for Monday- Friday service. Two buses will provide scheduled service between Flemington and Raritan Township from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The buses will operate along clockwise/counterclockwise routes. This will increase the frequency of service and reduce ride times for passengers. On Saturday, scheduled service will be provided by one bus as "Route 21". LINK Service will not be offered past 7:30 p.m.
Route 16- Raritan Township to Flemington
Monday -- Friday
9:30 a.m. -- 7:30 p.m.
Fare: $2 unlimited boarding; no additional fare to transfer to Route 23
Route 19- Flemington to Raritan Township
Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fare: $2 unlimited boarding; no additional fare to transfer to Route 23
Route 21- Flemington/Raritan
Saturdays
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Fare: $2 unlimited boarding
NEW LINK Bus Transfer Center
A new "LINK Bus Transfer Center" has been designated in the Hunterdon County Jury Parking Lot, Park Avenue & Capner Street, Flemington. Transfers between Routes 16, 19 and 23 will occur at the center.
Passengers who currently use "Cross County" or "Demand Response" Service and would like to access the Bridgewater Express Service (Route 23) will need to call by noon the day before they wish to travel to arrange for transportation to the LINK Transfer Center. Passengers will be required to pay the $2 fare for Route 23 in addition to their "Cross County Service" fare.
HART Commuter Information Services will also begin offering free "one on one" and "small group" travel instruction. For information on this program, contact Cathy Taglienti, Community Mobility Coordinator, at 908-788-5553 or cathy@harttma.com
For more information on any of the changes to the LINK Transportation System, contact Erin Neukum, LINK Transportation Coordinator, at 908-788-1368 Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.