Four Decades of Free Countywide Rides, Milestone Marked

CREST HAVEN – Need arose, transportation was lacking for those in a rural county with no mass transit. Next, an idea was hatched by citizens to help the elderly. Then, in 1973 the dream became reality. Rubber met the road, specifically a military surplus bus provided a means of conveying Villas residents to shopping in Rio Grande. That was the start. The humble beginning grew into a fleet of vans and buses to convey seniors and others to and from medical and shopping appointments.
On Dec. 12, the lobby of the county Administration Building served as a dining hall for Fare Free Transportation drivers who gathered for lunch to mark the 40th anniversary of Fare Free Transpiration in Cape May County. They heard Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton and Director Lisa Damico underscore the importance of the work each one does for their riders. Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, department liaison, was absent due to a family emergency, said Thornton.
Outside was parked part of the fleet of white and gray buses and vans capable of transporting the ambulatory and wheelchair-bound to places near and far.
West Wildwood Administrator Chris Ridings told the drivers of an elderly borough resident who husband passed on after relocating. “She felt alone,” he said, but then when she became familiar with Fare Free services, “she looked forward to her Fare Free ride, she would get up two or three hours early, get ready and wait for them. You not only provide a service, you provide mental health to a lot of those people who have no one else. You are often the only people they see.” He added there is no way to put a dollar value on the service the drivers provide.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano echoed that sentiment. “You are the best of the best. God bless you,” he said. He noted the drivers were “a life link to the people of Wildwood. Thank you for being there.
North Wildwood Councilmember Margaret Bishop presented a city resolution and told Thornton, “They (riders) thank you, and I thank you.”
Wildwood Crest Deputy Mayor Joyce Gould lauded the drivers, and added, “I hope they pay you enough. Thank you for all you do.”
Cape May Point Mayor Anita van Heeswyk expressed the borough’s gratitude for the efforts of the drivers on behalf of the residents in the state’s southernmost municipality.
Thornton reflected on the first 40 years, and how one time, the lone Fare Free bus, with a load of riders, had its rear wheels fall off as it traveled through Sea Isle City.
The system has been designated as the first, and one of the most successful transportation systems of its kind in the state, a release noted. As a community paratransit system, Fare Free Transportation provides demand-response, subscription and modified-fixed route bus service to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, veterans, individuals of low-income and general public on a first come-first served basis.
During a reflection of four decades, former directors were remembered. They included John “Jack” Salvesen, Mary Rowe, Steven Hampton, Kathleen Belles and Colleen Somers.
Director Lisa Damico accepted a certificate of appreciation from county Emergency Management Coordinator Martin Pagliughi for the assistance of Fare Free drivers in the evacuation of nearly 1,400 nursing home residents in the hours before Hurricane Sandy made landfall in 2012.
Thornton lauded the effort recalling how 1,400 “frail, elderly were moved without injury” to safety in that short time. He said the relay was the largest evacuation of long-term-care facility residents in the nation’s history.
As their peers watched and applauded, several drivers received certificates for safe driving and other milestones.
Driver Sandra Stilner was presented with a plaque to mark 30 years with Fare Free.
Other safe driving award recipients included William Kimsey, Brian Fitzpatrick, Sharon Madsen and David Smith.
Steve Fittante, director, New Jersey Transit, cited the county’s efforts in 1973 that recognized the needs of elderly and disabled long before the Americans with Disabilities Act, and even before the formation of New Jersey Transit. He described Fare Free as “a wonderful program.”
Then, he looked back over the past six years, when casino revenue funds, which help to fund the program, “have decreased by 45 percent.”
Regardless of slack funding times, Fittante said Cape May County was among the leaders in finding funding to make the system work. He also cited Mary Ann Mason, a citizen advisor, who recently accepted an award on behalf of the county.
Adding to Fittante’s comments, Thornton singled out state Transportation Commissioner James S. Simpson. “He has been very good to Cape May County.” He noted the Garden State Parkway project, ongoing just feet from the building, that was in the works 20 years, as was the Beesley’s Point Bridge for which Simpson advocated that are being completed.
“The Department of Transportation has been very good to Cape May County,” Thornton said.
The following history was provided by the county:
Maintenance and operating costs escalated forcing the founding group to appeal to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders for assistance. The Freeholders agreed to purchase another bus, as well as oversee the operation of the program. John (Jack) Salvesen, was appointed the Director of Traffic Safety with Mary Rowe as his assistant, who were charged with the task of creating an efficient and effective program. The Team of Salvesen and Rowe worked together for eleven years to develop the first senior transportation system of its kind in New Jersey. By the end of 1973, with four drivers and creative scheduling, senior citizens from all sixteen municipalities were being offered service to area shopping centers weekly.
By 1975, the department grew steadily with the commitment of the Board of Freeholders, who appropriated funds for new vehicles, drivers, and an administrative staff. The program was expanded to include transportation for residents in all sixteen municipalities for shopping, doctor appointments and visit senior centers.
Scheduling restraints made it necessary for the shopping buses to operate on a predetermined route, passengers were required to wait on designated corners along that route.
Advanced age or disability often prevented individuals to access to their designated stop. In 1976, Ann Zahora, Director of the Department on Aging, helped to secure grant money to purchase and operate a twelve-passenger van, introducing door-to-door, or, “Escort Service,” the start of what today is referred to as Demand Response.
The issue of charging for the service was discussed and it was determined that costs associated with collecting fares and an accounting system would increase operating costs and place an undue burden on the riders. In 1976, the Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted a resolution that declared there would be no fares, leading to the official name change to; “Fare-Free Transportation.”
With the increase in the need and awareness to provide transportation to, not only the elderly, but to disabled residents as well, grants became available to add more services and expand the mission of the program. New funding also allowed for transportation options for low-income residents. During the 1979 gas crisis, a grant administered through the Federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) provided funding for a route along the Route 9 corridor. This was open to the general public, with the intent to provide transportation to workers and encourage them to leave their vehicles at home.
In 1978, with the introduction of casinos in Atlantic City, grant funding, dedicated to the purpose of increasing mobility to Senior Citizens, became available to all 21 counties in New Jersey; Cape May County received a grant award from the Casino Revenue Funds in the amount of $383,000.
Within the first ten years, Fare Free Transportation grew to include thirty-six drivers, six administrative staff, and more than forty vehicles. Expanded programs included Meals-on-Wheels and bi-weekly trips to medical facilities outside of Cape May County, including Philadelphia.
Cape May County was the first to develop a fully coordinated and comprehensive Fare Free Transportation system of its kind in the country. They have received many national awards, recognition and accolades. The drivers have participated in extensive training and have received numerous State and National driving safety and operation awards.
The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders is honored and privileged to celebrate and congratulate Fare Free Transportation, its drivers, dispatchers and administrative staff, past and present, on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.