Benson, Murphy & Vainieri Huttle Bill to Raise Awareness for Transportation Programs for Seniors, People with Disabilities Becomes Law

(TRENTON) – Aiming to ensure more New Jersey senior citizens and residents with disabilities take advantage of special public transit programs, legislation to require the New Jersey Commissioner of Transportation to advertise certain programs was signed into law Thursday by Governor Phil Murphy.

Under the new law (formerly bill A-2450) sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex), Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Burlington) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), the Commissioner is required to advertise the availability of NJTRANSIT initiatives that provide reduced fares to seniors, as well as the cost and hours the reduced fares are in effect.

The Commissioner must also raise awareness for public transportation facilities accessible for people with disabilities, along with paratransit programs like Access Link that serve the disability community.

The sponsors released the following joint statement:

            “Seniors and riders with disabilities using public transportation may not be aware they can receive discounted fares by showing a form of valid ID, or that those with disabilities may be better served by Access Link, which provides ADA-accessible transportation. It’s wonderful that NJTRANSIT offers these options, but residents cannot take advantage of them if they don’t know they’re available. Raising public awareness will help residents better understand their public transit options and increase the number of people using these services.”