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Passaic County to launch 'Passaic County Move' microtransit pilot in Clifton and Passaic
Summary
County officials outlined a new on-demand microtransit pilot operating in Clifton and Passaic, with 10 vehicles, a $1.80 fixed fare, phone and app booking, multilingual support and initial state funding of $750,000.
Passaic County officials told the Board of County Commissioners on May 13 that the county will launch "Passaic County Move," a pilot microtransit program serving all of Clifton and all of Passaic, beginning next week with on-demand rides Monday through Friday.
The county's presentation described the pilot as a 10-vehicle fleet with seven standard minivans and three wheelchair-accessible vehicles, plus two reserve vehicles. The service will operate Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a fixed fare of $1.80 per trip regardless of distance. Riders will be able to request trips through a mobile app or by phone, and the county said phone dispatch will offer English and Spanish support. "We're looking at a service fair of only a dollar 80 per trip," the transit presenter said.
The presenter said the service area includes all of Clifton and all of Passaic and highlighted inclusion of the Four Seasons community to avoid splitting that neighborhood. The program will list 10 permanent destinations in the app—locations provided in the presentation include Allwood Park & Ride, Stop & Shop (Clifton), Lester Herscheff Senior Center, Clifton Train Station, Weaselbrook Park, ShopRite (Passaic), Passaic Main Ave Bus Terminal, Dundee Island Park, Passaic Train Station and Delawanna Train Station—and the county said riders may also set favorite locations and the vendor can add temporary locations for events.
County staff said the pilot is intended to address first-mile/last-mile barriers to fixed-route transit by connecting residents to train stations and bus routes and to supplement paratransit with extended hours and door-to-door service for riders needing wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The county also plans marketing, signage at New Jersey Transit stations, community outreach, an onboarding incentive (a free month of trips) and the option to purchase multi-ride passes.
Commissioners thanked staff and noted the pilot addresses first- and last-mile gaps; one commissioner asked about service for West Milford and was told county staff is pursuing separate grant work for rural transportation needs. The presenter said the pilot was launched with a state appropriation of $750,000 secured by Assemblyman Gary Schaer.
No formal board vote on the microtransit pilot or funding was recorded at the meeting; the presentation was informational and described next steps for the pilot's launch.
