Trenton-based Isles has launched GOTrenton!, an innovative all-electric on-demand shuttle service to give Trenton residents access to safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation around the city and out to work. GOTrenton! will utilize unique GEM six shuttles through its vendor, Circuit, to improve Trenton residents’ access to jobs, healthcare, nutritious food, recreation, and other essential resources.
GOTrenton! rides cost $2, and first time rides are free. Community based agencies will be able to purchase rides for their clients through the Circuit app or through a voucher system similar to a bus pass.
GOTrenton! has two main services. First, it provides an on-demand ride sharing service inside the City of Trenton. Second, GOTrenton! will soon provide an all-electric Workforce van service to connect Trenton residents with jobs outside the city. The Workforce van will eventually provide low-cost rides to workers at hours not served by other transportation services, for example workers completing late or overnight warehouse shifts.
Inside the City of Trenton, riders can hail the GOTrenton! shuttle by using a simple application (Circuit) that can be downloaded on any phone or by using the QR code that is on the vehicle or on handouts and posters placed around the city. Residents without phones can request rides at one of the GOTrenton! kiosks that set to be available at locations around the city.
As part of this project, funded in large part by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the City will be installing 14 low-cost public charging stations throughout Trenton, available to residents seven days a week.
“GOTrenton! was developed to be one part of the solution to the City’s transportation and air quality issues,” Isles CEO Sean Jackson said. “Our mission is to provide safe, affordable transportation to Trenton residents that provides them access to services, medical care, shopping and recreation.”
The project was developed by Isles in consultation with Trenton residents, leaders of community-based organizations, the City of Trenton, and a working group of experts, such as ChargeEVC, NJ Clean Cities Coalition, Environment New Jersey, and the City of Trenton.
About 30 percent of Trenton households report to be car-free, and 21 percent report carpooling as their only transportation method, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The GOTrenton! program is designed to offer residents low-cost, sustainable transportation options promoting day-to-day mobility and independence. Trenton families experience asthma at rates four times higher than the country’s average. Trenton also experiences, on average, 100 days of unhealthy air quality annually, which increases each year. Life expectancy of an adult living in Trenton is about 13 years less compared to an adult living in Princeton, just eight miles north.
With Trenton accounting for 42 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions — the largest municipal contributor in New Jersey — the GOTrenton! initiative aims to transition as many gasoline-powered vehicles off the road as possible.
“By partnering with community organizations, GOTrenton! will provide more jobs for residents, boost the city’s economy, and pave the way for a cleaner, more breathable city,” Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said. “While the program will assist residents’ social mobility, it will also improve their health and financial outlooks. We’re supporting our residents in accessing community benefits as well as reducing exposure to harmful pollutants — truly a win-win program.”
GOTrenton! is funded by a seed grant from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection eMobility program, the Pay$2Plug In program, and PSE&G Make Ready project. The projec is currently in a limited soft launch with service hours Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Due to limited funding and an effort to minimize wait times, GoTrenton! does not serve the entire city. Check the Circuit app to see the territory currently included in the service.
More information: www.gotrenton.org.
