Lakewood Township has expanded its public shuttle system with the addition of three full-size transit buses, marking a significant upgrade to the municipal transportation network. The vehicles, which entered service in March, are larger and more modern than those typically used by small local systems, and township officials say more are on the way.
Five additional buses have been ordered and are expected to be delivered within the next year. Officials are also preparing purchase orders for several more units as part of a broader expansion. The Lakewood Shuttle program, now approaching its 10th year, operates multiple routes and is projected to transport more than 140,000 riders in 2025. According to township data, monthly ridership has increased by more than 50% since the new buses went into service.
The buses were purchased using Lakewood Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) funds. Under the UEZ program, local businesses charge half the standard sales tax rate, with the revenue reinvested in projects intended to support economic development and public services.
The newly acquired buses were custom designed for the township system. Features include dual entryways, kneeling capability for improved accessibility, folding seats to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, and tri-lingual signage in English, Yiddish and Spanish.
Township officials, representatives of the Lakewood Development Corporation (which administers the UEZ program), and the bus manufacturer toured the new vehicles and reviewed their performance on local routes. Officials said additional features are being considered for future bus orders as the township evaluates possible route expansions in different parts of Lakewood.
140k riders who are they??? Illegals and chassidim? What about transportation for the students so they don’t have to hitch or get in busses at 630am
Wow. Your comment sounds very not racist. Chasidim the women don’t drive imagine if they did, there would be double the amount of cars. The kids also get normal busing even on Thanksgiving because their drivers are Jewish. I can guarantee you that you come from chasidim because anyone who is frum today has chasidish blood including Rav Olshin, Rabbi Zuckerman the Steipler! Chaveirim, Hatzolah, bikur cholim, shomrin were all ideas chasidim started. Chasidim moved to the south and no one would want to go there. My cousin who can’t afford yeshiva area moved to the south and she uses the bus as well. Her husband is a kollel yungerman in BMG!
Another thing Immigrants barely use the bus but ok.
What Lakewood did in 40 years chasidim did in 2! Hatzlacha rabbah. I love every Jew because everyone else hates us
Would be great if they could expand their routes so bochurim can catch a bus to/from yeshiva.
Lakewood is moving in the right direction you just have to give it some time and support the system. The more people aboard supporting it, the more the township and the city will recognize the need even more.
I am personally very thankful for this new production, meeting the needs of the residents, plus The more transportation available the streets will begin to be less congested
This can really work. I hope it does.
Lakewood needs a fully developed public transportation system. It would benefit the entire community—parents wouldn’t have to take out the car every time a teenager wants to visit a friend. More buses would reduce accidents and also help protect our yeshiva bochurim from the dangers of hitchhiking
There needs to be regular PM on these new vehicles. If not it will not be safer ! This is just not signatures on paper work orders that never get addressed.
Why can’t the bus routes have better schedules to help the Jewish community? There should be bus routes to drive bucherim to yeshiva and high school girls to school not only cleaning ladies and chassidim and the busses are almost always empty so it won’t even make a difference the bus company will make more $$$