NJ TRANSIT CELEBRATES EARTH DAY 2023
NJ TRANSIT Continues to Advance the Tenets of Earth Day; Offers New Customers a Free Round-Trip; Introduces Bicycle, Scooter and Pedestrian Access Survey
April 17, 2023
NEWARK, NJ – In celebration of Earth Day, NJ TRANSIT is continuing its mission to advance sustainable transportation and environmental responsibility through new and ongoing initiatives. This year, NJ TRANSIT is offering new customers an opportunity to Try TRANSIT free – and will also launch its first ever Bicycle, Scooter and Pedestrian Access Survey. The survey aims to gather information and assist NJ TRANSIT in supporting safer access to public transit for cyclists, scooter riders, and pedestrians.
“NJ TRANSIT takes pride in establishing sustainability initiatives, such as our first Bicycle, Scooter, and Pedestrian Access Survey, that will guide us in providing easier access to our services, while promoting environmentally friendly transportation,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Using mass transit is one of the easiest things you can do to help protect the environment for future generations. We want to ensure we are doing everything we can to make our services as attractive and sustainable as possible.”
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“This Earth Day and every day, NJ TRANSIT customers have a positive impact on the environment by choosing public transit and reducing their carbon footprint,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “We are making that choice as easy as possible with an opportunity for new mobile app customers with complimentary round-trip travel to try transit in recognition of Earth Day 2023.”
NJ TRANSIT is launching its first Bicycle, Scooter and Pedestrian Access Survey. The survey will be conducted online at njtransit.com/bikes beginning April 17th and running through the end of National Bike to Work Week, which will be held this year from May 15th – May 21st. Those who complete the survey and provide their contact information will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.
Additionally, as part of the Try TRANSIT promotion, from April 17th – April 23rd, the first 5,000 new customers are eligible to receive one free round-trip ticket through the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App using the promo code “EARTH23”.
Important note: All tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable, app-only, and the deal cannot be combined with other offers. The two one-way tickets must be used by April 23rd. Tickets will be effective until 2 a.m. on Monday April 24th to accommodate for late night/weekend travel. Offer is not valid for travel to/from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, SEPTA or Metro North Stations. Visit njtransit.com/earth for complete details on how to take advantage of this offer.
NJ TRANSIT continues to advance initiatives already underway to promote sustainability.
First Ever Sustainability Plan
As highlighted in NJT2030: A 10-Year Strategic Plan, the development of NJ TRANSIT’s first ever Sustainability Plan is currently underway. Through this plan, NJ TRANSIT is creating a vision to establish a more sustainable future for the planet, the communities we serve, and for the NJ TRANSIT organization. The Sustainability Plan will include the themes Water, Mobility & Accessibility, Energy, Air Quality, Waste, Community Engagement and Climate Resilience. The Sustainability Plan supports NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to a clean energy future and will provide the direction for NJ TRANSIT to be a leader in sustainability.
For more information on NJ TRANSIT’s Sustainability Plan, please visit https://www.njtransit.com/sustainabilityplan
Zero Emissions Bus Program
In October 2022, NJ TRANSIT unveiled its first battery-electric bus at its Camden bus garage setting the stage for the goal of transitioning to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2040 aligned with Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan. NJ TRANSIT now has three electric buses operating in revenue service.
The Camden project is a first of its kind initiative for NJ TRANSIT. This Camden deployment is an opportunity for NJ TRANSIT to introduce zero-emissions vehicles into the community while collecting invaluable data and information on the effects of weather, passenger volume, road conditions and other factors on battery-electric bus performance, such as travel distance between recharging.
NJ TRANSIT’s Zero Emission Timeline
In January 2020, Governor Murphy signed legislation establishing goals to increase the use of zero-emission vehicles in New Jersey.
- By December 31, 2024: At least 10 percent of new bus purchases will be zero-emission buses.
- By December 31, 2026: At least 50 percent of new bus purchases will be zero-emission buses.
- By December 31, 2032: 100 percent of new bus purchases will be zero-emission buses.
Environmental Benefits of Riding NJ TRANSIT
According to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), it is estimated that New Jersey’s transportation sector (including personal vehicles and trucks) accounts for 34.0 million metric tons CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e), which is 34 percent of the gross GHG emissions statewide. Most transportation emissions, nearly three quarters, come from personal vehicles. The Federal Transit Administration estimates a single occupied vehicle emits 0.96 pounds of CO2 per passenger-mile. The estimated change in an individual’s carbon footprint by shifting from driving to transit would be up to a 33 percent reduction if shifting to bus, up to a 62 percent reduction if shifting to light-rail, and up to a 65 percent reduction if shifting to commuter rail.
NJ TRANSIT displaces over six million metric tons of CO2e each year. Every trip on mass transit rather than a personal vehicle reduces emissions!
In addition to transportation efficiency benefits, there are land-use benefits of transit on GHG emissions. Public transportation promotes compact development; businesses, retail space, schools, and living areas that are constructed in close proximity. Land use that prioritizes public transportation, including Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), promotes walking and cycling due to the close distance of traveled areas and access to transportation options. Compact development tends to emerge near transportation systems - bus depots, rail terminals, and light rail stations. For instance, NJ TRANSIT’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail serves the high-density areas of Jersey City and Hoboken and connects people from across the region to ferries, trains and buses.
Take a Spring Break & Bring a Friend on Us
NJ TRANSIT is also offering a “Take a Spring Break & Bring a Friend on Us” deal, which allows customers to receive a free round-trip for a traveling companion with the purchase of a round-trip. NJ TRANSIT customers can use the promo code “SPRING23” in the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App to receive their “Buy One, Get One Free” round-trip. Only one code can be used per account during the promotion, which began April 3rd and runs through April 23rd. See njtransit.com/spring for complete details.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 253 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
