Cumberland County on Monday started a new, free bus service for residents in Millville and part of Commercial Township.
Millville Area Connection, or MAC, connects Commercial Township’s Laurel Lake section, the New Jersey Motorsports Park, downtown Millville, Millville Airport and the airport’s adjoining industrial park.
County officials said MAC, which is funded through a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality improvement grant, will help residents get to work, education and social service agencies.
MAC also links its riders with NJ Transit’s 553 bus route, which runs between Upper Deerfield Township and Atlantic City, and its 408 bus route, which runs between Millville and Philadelphia. MAC riders must pay the NJ Transit fare.
“In these difficult economic times, government has a responsibility to help people find employment, and government has an obligation to help get to work as well,” said Cumberland County Freeholder Sam Fiocchi. “Cumberland County has the highest unemployment rate in the state of New Jersey, therefore Cumberland County needs to take more dramatic efforts to help its citizens.”
Cumberland County had a 13.2 percent unemployment rate in April. Overall state unemployment rate for that month was 9.1 percent.
County officials and residents have for years complained that a lack of good public transportation is an obstacle to its economic recovery.
The MAC buses generally run between 6 a.m. and 5:12 p.m. Bus schedules are available at libraries, municipal buildings, the county government complex in Bridgeton, faith-based and community organizations in Millville and Laurel Lake, and at www.ccoel.org
While the service is free, rider registration is required. Registration forms are available on the buses, at the Cumberland County One Stop Career Center at 275 N. Delsea Drive in Vineland, at www.ccoel.org, or by calling 856-451-8920.
Riders can make voluntary donations for the service.
Contact Thomas Barlas:
609-226-9197
