Dear Members of Congress, Legislators, County and Municipal Officials, and Stakeholders:

NJ TRANSIT remains committed to the safety of our customers and employees and is working to ensure a safe environment by following the health standards set by the CDC through the sanitation of our facilities and vehicles and the cleanliness practices among our employees. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT remains committed to providing reliable and dependable service.

To that end, please see the announcement below, reflecting the latest information regarding NJ TRANSIT’s COVID-19 response:

NJ TRANSIT EXPLORES USE OF ULTRAVIOLET TECHNOLOGY IN BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19

Study with Rutgers University will Examine Effectiveness of UVC Light to Disinfect Buses                                                                                        

NJ TRANSIT has commissioned a study by Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) on the use of ultraviolet-c (UVC) for disinfecting the agency’s bus fleet from viruses such as COVID-19.  The effort continues NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to investigating and deploying the latest technology and best practices to provide a clean and safe environment for all customers and employees. For more information please see below or by clicking here.

NJ TRANSIT INSTALLS MORE MODERNIZED TICKET VENDING MACHINES

Upgraded Machines Coming to Various Bus Facilities Statewide, Improving the Customer Experience                                                                                         

NJ TRANSIT continues to advance the installation of new and improved ticket vending machines (TVM) at several locations systemwide. This next phase of a continuing rollout will see additional TVMs replacing older machines at ten bus facilities. For more information please see below or by clicking here.

Our highest priority is the health and safety of customers and employees. To do that, NJ TRANSIT is taking any and all measures to continue to make the system as safe as possible, the agency is reinforcing a “shared responsibility” approach that relies on customers and employers doing their part as well.

The NJ TRANSIT “YOUR RIDE TO RECOVERY” GUIDE focuses on our commitment to six areas: Service, Cleanliness, Distancing, Communication, Protective Equipment & Public Safety and Screening & Testing that you can read or download here.

Lastly, please continue to share the following information with your constituents and communities:

NJ TRANSIT REQUIRES ALL RIDERS TO WEAR A FACE COVERING.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE CDC GUIDE ON THE USE OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS TO HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

For more information on Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 125 please click here.

The CDC’s preventative steps for COVID-19 are as follows:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, then wash hands

 NJ TRANSIT WORKERS AUTHORIZED TO LIMIT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY TO 50% OF THE VEHICLE'S MAXIMUM CAPACITY ON ALL TRAINS, BUSES AND LIGHT RAIL LINES.

For more information the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the following websites:

New Jersey Department of Health: https://www.nj.gov/health/

CDC: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00427.asp

For updates regarding NJ TRANSIT’s COVID-19 response please visit the following sites:

COVID-19: How We’re Protecting You.

COVID-19: Service Adjustments.

NJ TRANSIT will continue to respond to the latest on COVID-19 with customer and employee safety as a top priority and keep you informed of our response.

We thank you in advance for sharing this important information with your constituents and respective communities as it boosts NJ TRANSIT’s efforts. Furthermore, we thank you for your continued support.  

As always, please call or email with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Thank you,

Paul Wyckoff

[email address]

973-491-7855

PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW:

NJ TRANSIT EXPLORES USE OF ULTRAVIOLET TECHNOLOGY IN BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19

Study with Rutgers University will Examine Effectiveness of UVC Light to Disinfect Buses

NEWARK, NJ – NJ TRANSIT has commissioned a study by Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) on the use of ultraviolet-c (UVC) for disinfecting the agency’s bus fleet from viruses such as COVID-19.  The effort continues NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to investigating and deploying the latest technology and best practices to provide a clean and safe environment for all customers and employees.

“NJ TRANSIT is always looking to be on the cutting edge of technology,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.  “As we prepare for our customers’ return to the system, it is incumbent upon us to explore every cleaning and disinfecting option available. NJ TRANSIT will continue to take any and all measures to ensure the safest and cleanest transit environment possible for our customers and employees.”

The study, to be conducted over the next few months, will include examining the effectiveness of the UVC wavelength in killing viruses as well as electronically mapping the interior of different bus models to determine the best placement for the UVC source.  The findings would be used to determine the best way to scale and implement the technology on the bus fleet.

Ultraviolet light in the germicidal range (200-280 nm light) known as “UVC” has proven to be effective at disinfecting water and surfaces; and may help reduce the risk of infection due to COVID-19 virus. UVC light energy is not the same as the UVA and UVB light wavelengths found in exposure to sunlight.  UVC disinfection would not be used when customers are on board.

NJ TRANSIT’s RESPONSE TO COVID-19

NJ TRANSIT continues enhanced cleaning efforts to include disinfecting vehicles every 24 hours. Hard surface cleaning and disinfecting typically includes handholds, arm rests, seating areas and restrooms.

Our enhanced cleaning regimen in stations includes additional disinfecting of frequent customer touchpoints such as ticket vending machines, handrails, door handles. In major stations and terminals, this occurs once every shift.

The cleaning agents used in this effort are deemed effective for these purposes and contain anti-viral components such as bleach/water mixes and other disinfectant sprays. Areas regularly cleaned include doors, door knobs, windows, benches, partitions, trash cans, elevators, escalators, handrails, ledges, and all restrooms and floor surfaces. 

NJ TRANSIT has a dedicated web page offering a centralized location to highlight the many initiatives the agency has undertaken to protect customers and employees against COVID-19 as the reopening of New Jersey and the region continues. The web page, njtransit.com/recovery, is available on both desktop and through the mobile app, and contains a link to the new Recovery Guidelines for viewing and downloading.

In addition to outlining the steps the agency has taken, the website also includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. Posters reminding customers of best-practices to prevent the spread of germs have been installed on NJ TRANSIT vehicles throughout the system. 

NJ TRANSIT is closely engaged with the New Jersey Department of Health and other state and federal resources to carefully monitor, and if need be, respond to emergent health concerns that have the ability to impact customers and employees.

The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) offer the following preventative steps for the coronavirus:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, then wash hands 

For more information, please visit the following websites: New Jersey Department of Health: https://www.nj.gov/health/; the CDC: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00427.asp.

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.

This document and others are available for translation on njtransit.com.

NJ TRANSIT INSTALLS MORE MODERNIZED TICKET VENDING MACHINES

Upgraded Machines Coming to Various Bus Facilities Statewide, Improving the Customer Experience

NEWARK, NJ – NJ TRANSIT continues to advance the installation of new and improved ticket vending machines (TVM) at several locations systemwide. This next phase of a continuing rollout will see additional TVMs replacing older machines at ten bus facilities.

This is the third phase of an ongoing program to modernize fare payment systems and enhance the customer experience.

“This next phase of the program will build on the success of the previous two deployment phases. The initial customer feedback on the new TVMs has been overwhelmingly favorable,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett. “Due to a redesign, these new TVMs are faster, easier for people with disabilities to use, user-friendly and have new screens that can display important travel information and advisories. Customers can even pay with a phone and will no longer need to insert debit or credit cards. We look forward to the continued systemwide rollout of these new TVMs as we remain committed to leveraging technology to improve the customer experience.”

The new TVMs have improved features making them quicker and easier for customers to use, are easier for people with disabilities to use and include audible as well as visual instructions. NJ TRANSIT customers will have the capability to purchase tickets using contactless cards and mobile wallet applications and will no longer need to insert debit/credit cards into the machine. The machines also have improved functionality, with faster printers and new displays providing customers with important travel information and advisories.

TVMs will be replaced at the following locations:

• Wildwood Bus Terminal, 4510 Washington Avenue
• Atlantic City Bus Terminal, 1901 Atlantic Avenue

• Greyhound Bus Terminal, 1001 Filbert St, Philadelphia
• Avandale P&R, Sicklerville
• Lakewood Bus Terminal, 1st & Lexington avenues, Lakewood Township
• Howell Park & Ride, Aldrich Road
• Walter Rand Transportation Center, Camden
• Old Bridge Park & Ride, 1111 Route 9
• Journal Square, 138 Magnolia Avenue, Jersey City
• Union Hill Park & Ride, Union Hill Road, Marlboro Township

After installation is complete, an assessment of the TVMs will be made before NJ TRANSIT continues the rollout/replacement of any additional machines. NJ TRANSIT anticipates replacing all TVMs statewide with this newer, customer-friendly model.

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.

This document and others are available for translation on njtransit.com.

Matt McHale

Federal & State Legislative Liaison

NJ TRANSIT

Government & Community Relations

P: (973) 491-8080

M: (201) 306-6675

ENGAGE. INFORM. IMPROVE.