As of Saturday, June 21, New Jersey Transit will be offering a revised bus route through Plainsboro and Princeton that should benefit Plainsboro residents.
According to NJ Transit officials, the “655 bus,” which currently loops around the communities of Princeton and Plainsboro, will now have a more direct route through the towns. The new route will have stops at several retail and residential areas along Plainsboro Road, as well as the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, McCarter Theater, and the Princeton Shopping Center.
NJ Transit is hoping that the new, direct route will increase ridership, and to that end is trying to raise awareness of the route’s existence and many local stops. Speaking at the Central Jersey Transportation Forum, Cheryl Kastrenakes, executive director of the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, noted that many people think this bus route only serves the hospital. NJ Transit plans to add signs to the 655 buses listing many of the other stops along the route.
In addition, in order to generate additional interest and ridership, NJ Transit will be offering free rides on the 655 bus from June 24 through June 26.
In a related move, the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association has begun offering a new service, called RideProvide, to Plainsboro senior citizens.
RideProvide “is available to all seniors 65 years and over and all adult residents who are visually impaired,” said Mayork Peter Cantu. “Fees for rides are deducted from the rider’s transportation account, but are free to residents traveling to any Princeton HealthCare facility in Plainsboro or Mercer County.”
For the last five years, RideProvide has been providing service only to residents of Mercer County, but with the University Medical Center now in Plainsboro, the decision was made to expand the service area to residents of Plainsboro as well. For more information call RideProvide at 609-452-5140.
