Bloomfield Commuter Shuttle Bus Restarts After COVID Hiatus

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The wheels are rolling again for the Bloomfield commuter shuttle bus.

On Monday, shuttle bus service resumed, marking the end of a 20-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s great to see our commuter bus resume service after being forced to cease due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “This is an essential service that will help many residents commute to work in an easier, safer and less expensive way.”

According to Bloomfield officials:

“Full service will resume on both the North End Shuttle and South End Shuttle, Monday through Friday (except municipal holidays) from approximately 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the morning and approximately 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the evenings.”

The North End Shuttle has four morning routes traveling from the corners of East and West Passaic Avenue south on Broad Street to the Bloomfield Train Station on Lackawanna Place.

The South End Shuttle has six morning routes traveling east on Belleville Avenue, South on Willet Street and west on Montgomery Street to the Bloomfield Station.

Both shuttles operate on a fixed route and riders will be picked up at designated times and locations along the route. In the evening, both shuttle buses pick up riders coming off the trains and take them home in reverse order of the morning routes.

During inclement weather or NJ Transit equipment failures, a Level #1 or Level #2 service may be implemented, officials said.

Shuttle bus passes must be purchased at the Civic Center located at 84 Broad Street Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Other times can be arranged by calling 973-743-9074 during normal business hours.

Officials continued:

“A 50-ride pass costs $25 dollars. Upon entering the shuttle bus, your pass will be ‘punched.’ As a courtesy to allow riders to test the shuttle service and/or purchase passes, there will be no fees until Monday, Oct. 4.”

Face coverings must be on prior to entering the bus and must be kept on for the duration of the ride. All high-touch areas will be disinfected daily, officials said.

For more information or to download the most up to date schedules, visit www.bloomfieldrecreation.org or call 973-743-9074. Riders are also encouraged to download and register for the Blue Swift911 mobile app for alerts about service and weather-related issues.

“In August, we conducted a shuttle bus survey and we received valuable feedback from the community about reinstating our shuttle bus service,” Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs director Michael Sceurman said.

“It was important for us to bring this service back to our residents but we wanted to do so in a safe, effective and efficient manner,” Sceurman said.

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