New Report on Public Transit in South Jersey Highlights Potential Improvements to the System
Camden, NJ – January 23, 2025: Rutgers University–Camden, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Policy Lab and the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers–Camden, has released a comprehensive study of South Jersey residents' priorities regarding public transit and potential areas of improvement. A survey of approximately 303 participants recruited through targeted outreach found that enhancing reliability, expanding coverage and access, improving the infrastructure and access to information, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices in Camden County’s transportation system were the community's primary concerns.
Other findings included:
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) of survey participants reported using public transportation (bus, light rail, public on-demand services) in and around Camden County at least once a week;
- Survey participants from the southeast portion of Camden County, where public transportation options are more sparse, were more likely to indicate that their travel needs were met "somewhat well" (41.1%), "not too well" (30.4%), or "not well at all" (3.6%);
- Multiple participants in focus groups noted that a prevalent barrier to public transportation accessibility was the cost and payment methods, with many saying they would like to see changes to the payment structure and more digital ticket opportunities for riders to pay via phone or app.
Recommendations for improving transportation include expanding light rail and train service, creating more direct public transit routes to significant employment and shopping hubs like Philadelphia and New York, and increasing the frequency of existing bus routes. “We believe our research serves as an important vehicle for ongoing dialogue and policy development around transportation in Camden County and the South Jersey region overall,” said Kristin Curtis, Associate Director of Research at WRI and one of the researchers on the report.
About the New Jersey State Policy Lab
The NJSPL assists the state of New Jersey and its many communities with the design, implementation, and evaluation of state policies and programs by conducting rigorous evidencebased research that considers equity, efficiency, and efficacy of public policies and programs in holistic and innovative ways. The Lab is a partnership between the Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy in Rutgers-New Brunswick and the School of Public Affairs and Administration in Rutgers-Newark. The Policy Lab is funded by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE). The contents of this report do not necessarily represent the policy or endorsement of OSHE or the state of New Jersey.
About the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers–Camden has been a longstanding and trusted regional community partner for over 20 years. WRI honors former Senator Rand's dedication to Southern New Jersey and exists to produce and highlight communityfocused research and evaluation leading to sound public policy and practice in the region. With that as a foundation, WRI convenes and engages stakeholders in making connections across research, policy, and practice to support Camden City and Southern New Jersey residents. Using social science research methods, WRI specializes in transforming data into actionable information across various areas, including workforce development, education, transportation, and public/population health. WRI reinforces and amplifies Rutgers' research, teaching, and service goals by connecting the multidisciplinary expertise of faculty to regional problems, developing research and professional skills in students, and linking the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.
About Rutgers University–Camden
Ranked #46 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Public Colleges and Universities, Rutgers University–Camden is a diverse, research-intensive campus of approximately 5,700 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and more than 1,500 faculty and staff members. Located in Camden, N.J., directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the university is uniquely situated to serve the local community while achieving global reach. A U.S. Department of Education-eligible Minority Serving Institution, Rutgers–Camden thrives due to a supportive culture that helps students achieve their goals. Rutgers–Camden is recognized as a national model for civically engaged urban universities and was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for a Community Engagement classification. Washington Monthly magazine has ranked Rutgers University–Camden among its “Best Bang for the Buck” universities and best national universities. Rutgers–Camden holds Carnegie classification as an R2 research university due to a high volume of internationally recognized research, creative output, and scholarly activity.