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COVID-19 Transportation Changes

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been schedule changes to most of the public transportation serving Somerset County. RideWise will update this page with changes to transportation services as we become aware of them.

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES (as of 10.15.20):

Somerset County public buses – Somerset County Transportation resumed regular schedules starting Wednesday, September 2. The CAT shuttles will be once again making stops at Raritan Valley Community College. As of Sept. 2, the shuttle service will no longer be stopping at the Shoprite on route 28 in Branchburg. If someone requires a pickup at ShopRite, they will need to call the Transportation Division at 908-231-7115 or 1-800-246-0527. All other shuttles resumed their regular schedules on July 13. To view transit schedules, click here.

Effective October 14, a new entrance to the Somerville Train Station has opened allowing Somerset County SCOOT & CAT shuttles to resume picking up passengers on the terminal side of the train station. For more info, contact Somerset County Transportation: 908-231-7115.

Passengers and service operators are required to wear facial coverings. Vehicles will be disinfected after every shift and additional cleaning procedures will be performed to ensure that all vehicles are sterile. Residents who are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 are NOT permitted to use the county’s transportation services and should immediately contact a healthcare professional. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, fever or coughing.

Somerset County Paratransit services –Restrictions for reservations will be implemented. Residents are required to make reservations for no more than two weeks in advance for medical appointments, and no more than one week in advance for service to shopping stores. Residents should be mindful when making reservations so that everyone has an opportunity to use these services.

Hunterdon County LINK public buses – Starting on September 1, 2020, the Hunterdon County LINK Route 23 bus will resume their schedule supporting the RVCC campus. Fares are currently suspended, and riders will be notified at least two weeks before the fares resume. Somerset County locations for the LINK 23 bus include the RVCC campus, the Bridgewater Commons Mall and the Somerville Train Station. Click here for the schedule.

All passengers are required to wear a facial covering while on the LINK vehicles. 5 people per bus for social distancing. LINK vehicles cannot transport passengers for COVID related testing including the test site at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). The RVCC testing site will not allow entry if residents do not arrive in a vehicle, even if they have a valid driver’s license and prescription. For the safety, health and security of staff and volunteers, patients must arrive by car.

NJ TRANSIT – NJ Transit trains, buses and light rail may resume operating with full capacity starting at 8 pm Wednesday, July 15. Face coverings will remain required for all staff and passengers, under an executive order Gov. Phil Murphy signed July 13. In addition to NJ Transit trains and buses, the lifting of the 50% capacity limits include private-carrier buses, trains, light rail vehicles and Access Link vehicles.

  • NJ Transit Buses – All NJ Transit Buses have resumed their regular, full schedules. NJ TRANSIT is resuming the collection of cash fares and front door boarding on buses which have protective barriers installed around the bus operator beginning August 3rd.  As part of NJ TRANSIT’s Your Ride to Recovery, the protective devices are being installed throughout the bus fleet to provide a barrier between the operator and customers. Cash fares and front door boarding will remain temporarily suspended on buses which have not yet had the barrier installation.
  • NJ Transit Trains – Beginning Monday, July 6th, NJ TRANSIT resumed full weekday service for rail and light rail on July 6. Handheld mobile devices have been issued to train crews on the Raritan Valley Line (RVL) which can scan and validate both paper tickets/passes and electronic tickets/passes displayed on the mobile app – creating a more contactless customer experience.
  • NJ Transit Access Link Buses – Regular weekday service. NJ TRANSIT is resuming the collection of cash fares on board its Access Link vehicles beginning Monday, August 10th.  The cash option was temporarily suspended as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.  Customers are strongly encouraged to use EZ-Wallet, a contactless, electronic fare system where a payment profile is set up in advance, eliminating the need to use cash on board and reducing customer touchpoints with the operators. If cash is to be used, exact fare is required as Access Link operators cannot make change. EZ-Wallet accounts require a credit, debit or pre-paid card for set up.
  • SAFE NJ Campaign: NJ TRANSIT unveiled a new customer awareness campaign “SAFE NJ” as customers begin to return to the transit system. The “SAFE NJ” campaign will focus on high visibility signage throughout the system to maintain awareness of recommended best practices that ensure the healthiest and safest transit system for all. The new “SAFE NJ” series reinforces the requirement to wear face coverings, be cognizant of distancing and to help keep stations and vehicles free of discarded Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as used face coverings and gloves. Click here to learn more.

Suburban 100 Bus (Princeton/Franklin Park/Franklin Township/New Brunswick) – Effective October 5, 2020, Suburban Transit will increase scheduled service on the 100 Line. With this change, a bus will now be operating every 15 minutes during rush hour. View the modified schedule here.

Suburban 200 Bus (Hillsborough) – NOT running

Lakeland Bus (Northern Somerset County/Rt 78 service) – NOT running

TransBridge Bus (Rt 202/Branchburg) – Limited re-start on Monday, June 8. Pickups in Branchburg on Route 202 at the park and ride will be extremely limited:

  • Weekdays: 2 trips inbound to NYC (6:30 am and 7:30 am) in the morning and 2 trips returning to Somerset County in the afternoon (leaving NYC PABT at 4:45 pm and 5:30 pm).
  • Weekends: one trip inbound to NYC at 8:30 am; one trip leaving NYC PABT at 6:00 pm.

There will be no stops at Sanofi or Metlife as of now.

The Bagel Garden at 1021 US-202, Branchburg, will still be selling tickets for this bus. Their phone number is 908.526.6444. Their new hours are:

  • Weekdays: 6 am – 12:30 pm
  • Weekends: 7 am – 1: 00 pm

To view past transportation updates, please click here.