A new regional shuttle bus system meant to fill gaps in NJ Transit coverage is on the road in six southern counties.

'SJ Connects' buses, as of June 1, are circulating on six routes through Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties. Officials said they hope to be operating in Burlington County before the end of summer.

Operating under the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), the start-up costs are covered by $5 million from the Rowan University/Rutgers/Camden Board of Governors last year.

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The stated goal is transporting South Jerseyans to and from employment centers, educational institutions, health care campuses, retail destinations, government services and existing NJ Transit hubs.

Officials with the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, an enthusiastic booster, sees unreliable transportation access as one of the biggest barriers to economic development here.

'SJ Connects puts free, dependable transit on corridors where our employers are hiring and our workforce is trying to show up,' said Christina Renna, president of the regional chamber. She was present for the system's official debut. 

'That's not just a social service, that's an economic investment, and it's one that's going to pay dividends for this region for years to come,' Renna said.

Dominic D'Amico oversaw drawing up route maps and schedules as the director of SJTA Transportation Services. Development started approximately a year ago.

D'Amico said one major focus was on how best to connect with NJ Transit lines without duplicating them. Next was working out how to service the major education and health care facilities in South Jersey, the 'eds-and-meds corridor.'

'Now, I'm sitting down with paper: `Let's use Vineland Transportation Center. Let's hit Walter Rand. Where's heavy stops for New Jersey Transit's bus lines?'' D'Amico said. 'And then, let's build on to eds-and-meds from that.'

D'Amico said the system is being run as a 'pilot' program for its first 18 months to 24 months.

Trips are free for that period while SJTA collects and analyzes ridership figures, he added.

"And then, obviously, hopefully, the ridership's a good story to tell and we can continue it," D'Amico said. "Typically, we like to see 3,000, 4,000 one-way passenger trips per route, per month.

Most SJ Connects routes pass through Vineland

State Sen. Michael Testa Jr., R-Cumberland, said four of the six routes originate in Vineland Cumberland County.

That's not a coincidence, he added.

"It's a recognition of where the need is greatest and where the workforce is ready to go," said Testa, who is a Vineland native. "This is the kind of practical, community-driven investment South Jersey deserves, and I'm proud to support it."

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D'Amico said he's comfortable that the mapped system as it is now will largely hold up to sustained use. Multiple dry runs were done to test the routes.

But openness to adjustments, he said, is part of the plan.

"Typically we've had routes in the past where we can run it for a month or two," D'Amico said. "And then, all of a sudden, there's construction. There's a new light put in."

The opening of colleges in September, however, could lead to some changes.

"We could really have some heavy ridership," D'Amico said. "So, I would say that 'tweaking' would be November-ish, December-ish."

Additional route information, schedules, and service details are available either at www.sjta.com or by calling 856-227-7571.