Transportation

This bill authorizes funding for on-demand micro transit services under New Jersey's Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program. It directly affects senior citizens and disabled residents by allowing them to access technology-enabled shared transportation that lets them choose pick-up and drop-off locations via phone or mobile app. The legislation amends existing state law to formally define "on-demand micro transit" and update related terminology within the transportation assistance framework. The program operates through the New Jersey Transit Corporation in coordination with local counties and advisory committees to ensure services meet accessibility needs.

This bill (A 2132) requires operators of New Jersey's Access Link paratransit service to announce every scheduled stop on their route, either verbally or via a recording system. It directly affects Access Link drivers and the New Jersey Transit Corporation, which operates this ADA-compliant paratransit service for riders with disabilities. Currently, only fixed-route transit systems (like buses on set schedules) must announce stops, but Access Link - being a non-fixed-route service - was previously exempt. The bill extends the stop-announcement requirement to all Access Link vehicles to improve accessibility and rider awareness. It takes effect two months after enactment.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to spend $65.55 million in loans for transportation infrastructure projects during the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation allows the bank to provide funding to local government units for construction costs and includes specific provisions for forgiving up to $1 million in planning and design loans under certain conditions. Additionally, the act permits the bank to use additional funds to cover its own operational expenses, such as bond issuance costs and reserve requirements. While the text lists specific eligible projects, the summary of those details is incomplete in the provided document.

This bill requires New Jersey to issue special license plates for veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected disabilities. The plates, displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol, allow these veterans to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing additional permits or placards. The plates are free, non-transferable, and must be displayed on the vehicle while parked. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the plate. The bill directly affects disabled veterans who meet federal VA certification criteria.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit to publish monthly performance data on its website for rail, light rail, and bus services. The new reporting mandates include details on service cancellations and their specific causes, such as staffing shortages or equipment failures, alongside metrics for on-time performance and vehicle reliability. By making this information publicly available, the legislation aims to provide commuters with clearer insights into how the transit system is operating. The act does not alter existing annual reporting requirements but adds a more frequent, detailed layer of transparency to the agency's operational updates.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program to provide transportation services specifically for disabled veterans needing to attend medical appointments for service-connected conditions. It directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to work with counties to identify veterans' transportation needs and provides funding by redirecting 4% of casino revenue fund allocations (previously used for senior/disabled transport) to cover these new services. The program helps counties pay for expanded transit options, including door-to-door service or subsidized rides, for veterans certified with service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This directly affects disabled veterans in New Jersey who require transportation to VA-approved medical appointments but are not covered by existing travel reimbursement programs.