Long Branch Shuttle Service Enjoying Fast Start

The Long Branch shuttle service is off to a good start according to city officials.

The service, and has been running for four weekends, has a higher ridership in Long Branch than in neighboring towns that are also using the shuttle this summer. Other participating towns are Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach.

Over the last four weeks, 175 people have used the service in Long Branch, compared to 121 riders in Asbury Park. Ridership was highest on Memorial Day weekend with 69 riders, although the service did run an extra day because of the holiday.

The ridership details were presented by UEZ Chairman Jacob Jones during Wednesday morning's Greater Long Branch Area Business Meeting.

Jones said although ridership has been high that the service still has room for improvement and growth. He said some people are still confused about where the stops are and what routes the service follows.

"This is new and we are asking people to be patient," Jones said.

Jones said he place pamphlets for the service in businesses and to place more signs at shuttle stops around the city.

"We hope to triple the amount of riders, we think it's just a matter of communication," he said. "Ridership dictates this whole thing."

Long Branch Councilman Michael Sirianni was at the meeting and asked Jones if there has been any backlash from local taxi companies.

Jones said the ridership has not affected them to this point.

"Once it picks up, you may hear something from the cab services," Jone said. "We're not trying to create competition and we can't do door-to-door pickup."

Jones said he is pleased with service at this point and that it could be expanded next year to include the pickup of Monmouth University students.

"It's here, we just have to make it work and it's very little cost to the city," Jones said. "I think it will be a big boon."