By CAROL COMEGNO
Courier-Post Staff
MOUNT HOLLY
Burlington County officials will start two shuttle bus routes, and hope to create three more, to help lure riders to the South Jersey Light Rail Line when in opens.
Donald Brauckmann, coordinator of the county's transportation office, told freeholders Wednesday that two community bus routes will begin service in July to serve Burlington City, Burlington Township and Florence. He said they'll serve shoppers and employees heading to businesses, industrial parks and stores in that region and also provide access to the rail line after its expected opening in the spring.
In addition, the county has prepared more ambitious plans to apply for $1 million in federal funds for three routes that would connect with light rail stations in Palmyra, East Riverton and Beverly by January 2004.
"This board will not sit idle and see the light rail system fail. We will do whatever necessary to make sure it is successful," said Freeholder James Wujcik. Too many legislators are unfairly predicting the rail line's doom before it begins running, he said.
However, Brauckmann said the county will be competing with three other South Jersey counties - Camden, Gloucester and Atlantic - for a total of $3 million in grants available to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.
The freeholders informally voted Wednesday to apply to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for federal funds to pay for four buses and the first year of operation for the three major routes.
Brauckmann said that before the federal government can consider the application, DVRPC must approve it. He said the plan calls for shuttles to run 10 to 20 hours a day and cost about a $1 per ride.
He said the county previously received $350,000 in federal grants for the smaller community routes - along Route 541 in the two Burlingtons and through Haines Industrial Park on Route 130 in Florence. NJ Transit is paying for the two buses.
Bill Ragozine, executive director of the Cross County Connection advisory group, said the shuttle expansion is desperately needed to open up the suburbs to light rail.
The Palmyra station shuttle would take riders to and from Moorestown and Maple Shade, including Moorestown Mall on Route 38 and the adjacent the East Gate Shopping center.
The second proposed route would operate 10 hours a day between the East Riverton Station to Route 130 and serve Taylor Lane Industrial Parks and Walmart in Cinnaminson.
The third route would be an expansion of the county's current Burlink Shuttle from Beverly to Pemberton Township via Mount Holly. The new portion would extend the route to Burlington Center and the Westampton Bus Terminal on Route 541.
Reach Carol Comegno at (609) 267-9487 or ccomegno@courierpostonline.com