Dear Editor:

This week, the City expanded the shuttle system formerly known as the Crosstown Bus into mini-transit system called “The Hop” which consists of three shuttle routes (Blue, Green, and Red) covering the entire City. The state-of-the-art system incorporates GPS technology to make it incredibly easy to track the shuttles on a map online (http://hobokennj.org/thehop) or via text messaging.

The initial response from residents has been very positive. Even before we formally announced the new system, some shuttles were already at capacity with riders.

In order to create this expanded, more efficient transit system, the former Crosstown shuttle and Senior Shuttles were both incorporated into the Hop system. Compared to the previous senior shuttle, The Hop travels twice as frequently, has expanded hours and broader coverage, provides service to all senior buildings, the Multi-Service Center, and supermarkets, allows seniors to ride with other family members, and is still free for seniors. Free medical transportation and bus trips to the Newport Mall will not be affected.

Despite the improvements, we recognize that these changes can be frustrating at first. While the feedback from seniors has been predominantly positive, we are making adjustments to address some of the concerns we’ve heard.

First, we will be creating new route schedules specific to seniors which include senior buildings, supermarkets, and the Multi-Service Center. The shuttle will stop at all of these locations.

We will also be installing LCD screens in senior buildings which display a map of Hoboken along with the routes and the live location of the Hop shuttles. We will roll out this system first in the Multi-Service Center.

In order to provide access to more shopping areas, the Red Hop route will be adjusted to travel down Washington Street instead of Hudson Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when traffic volumes are lower.

Finally, the shuttles will also drive into the parking lots of the ShopRite and A&P between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as much as is needed by seniors, to make it more convenient to go grocery shopping.

We’re very excited to provide this expanded, high-tech, convenient transit option for all of our residents as a way to increase mobility and provide more environmentally-friendly transportation options. Based on the initial response, our residents are excited, too. But we know there will be bumps along the way, and we want all residents to know that we’re listening, and we will make changes wherever we need to make improvements.

Thank you,

Mayor Dawn Zimmer