NJ Transit Board approves purchase of new minibuses for local transportation programs

Feb. 12, 2021
The $4.6-million contract will benefit senior citizens and people with disabilities throughout the state.

New Jersey Transit has been authorized by the board of directors to purchase 19 new low floor extended minibuses with accessibility ramps, with the option to purchase 16 additional vehicles, for local transportation programs providing critical transportation services for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other transit-dependent residents.

These services are operated by counties, municipalities and nonprofits throughout the state. Many of these services extend or complement existing NJ Transit services.

“Supporting the critical work of local transportation providers is a key component of our statewide mission,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner and NJ Transit Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.  “I am pleased we are able to provide new buses to these important community programs for seniors and people with disabilities throughout the state.”

“The board’s approval of the purchase of up to 35 new low-floor extended minibuses will particularly benefit some of our state’s most vulnerable residents who rely on public transportation for the most basic of travel needs, such as medical appointments and food shopping,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “These new buses will improve reliability, customer experience and, most importantly, access to transit for those who most depend on it.”

Alliance Bus Group, Inc., of Carlstadt, N.J., has been awarded the contract for the purchase of 19 low floor extended minibuses with accessibility ramps at a cost of $2,516,175, plus five percent contingencies, subject to the availability of funds.

The total for the 35 low floor extended minibuses with accessibility ramps is for an amount not to exceed $4,645,675.00, plus five percent for contingencies, for a total authorization of $4,877,959.

NJ Transit is the direct recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and procures vehicles under these grant programs on behalf of local sub-recipients such as counties, municipalities and nonprofit agencies. There is a total of 19 vehicles in this procurement: 18 vehicles are being purchased with funding from the FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (S5310) and one vehicle is being purchased with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program funds. The remaining 16 vehicles will be purchased during the option years in this award with funding from future grant years.

Based on a competitive grant application program, the low floor vehicles will be awarded to:

(County, Agency, Quantity, Funding)

  • Union, Arc of Union, 1, S5310
  • Bergen, Borough of Fort Lee Parking Authority, 1, CMAQ
  • Bergen, Borough of Fort Lee Parking Authority, 1, S5310
  • Essex, Essex County, 4, S5310
  • Hudson, Hudson County TRANSCEND, 1, S5310
  • Ocean, Long Beach Island Community Center, 1, S5310
  • Somerset, Matheny Medical & Educational Center, 2, S5310
  • Monmouth, Monmouth County Transportation, 2, S5310
  • Essex, North Ward Center, 1, S5310
  • Morris, Pequannock Senior Citizen Housing, 1, S5310
  • Somerset, Somerset County Transportation, 2, S5310
  • Hudson, Town of Kearny, 1, S5310
  • Warren, Warren County/Human Services, 1, S5310

NJ Transit provides financial support, new vehicles, operator and management training and technical assistance to state counties, towns and nonprofits to serve seniors, people with disabilities, rural residents and veterans.