Freiman, Murphy & Tully Bill to Ensure Safe, Accessible Public Transportation for People with Disabilities Goes to Governor

Measure to Ensure NJ TRANSIT Access Link Can Operate Where Safe

(TRENTON) – To ensure people with disabilities continue to have access to appropriate modes of public transportation, the full Assembly voted 75-0-0 last Thursday giving final legislative approval to a measure requiring NJ TRANSIT to operate its Access Link paratransit service in certain areas where safe during a state of emergency.

Sponsors of the bill (A-1155), Assembly Democrats Roy Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset), Carol Murphy (D-Burlington) and Christopher Tully (D-Bergen, Passaic), issued the following joint statement:

“Troubling reports of transit services on Access Link being cancelled during a state of emergency while other services continue to operate have recently come to light. With nearly a quarter of New Jersey adults left vulnerable by a physical or developmental disability, this servicing disruption and inefficiency is highly problematic.

“Many rely on Access Link to be able to travel to work, day programs and to their doctor or hospitals where they receive medical care – even under a state of emergency. If risk to riders and drivers can be mitigated on transit in certain service areas during a state of emergency, routes for those with disabilities must also be maintained.”