LAKEWOOD – Township officials are hailing a major upgrade to the Lakewood Shuttle system, as full-size, modern transit buses have joined the municipal fleet and are already driving a sharp jump in ridership.
Three new buses, which went into service in March, are now running on Lakewood Shuttle routes, with five more on order and expected to be on the road within the coming year. Officials said they are also preparing purchase orders for several additional vehicles as the system continues to grow.
Launched less than 10 years ago, the Lakewood Shuttle has developed into a busy local transit network, serving multiple routes and carrying more than 140,000 riders in 2025. Since the new buses were introduced, ridership has climbed dramatically, with monthly passenger counts up more than 50 percent compared to previous months, according to township officials. The new vehicles also nearly triple the capacity of the older buses they replaced.
The buses were purchased using funds from the Lakewood Urban Enterprise Zone program. Under the UEZ, participating businesses charge a reduced sales tax rate, and a portion of that revenue is reinvested into projects intended to spur economic activity and provide services that benefit residents.
Each new Lakewood Shuttle bus was custom designed and built to reflect the needs of the township’s diverse population, officials said. The vehicles feature a kneeling function for easier boarding, dual doors and folding seats to better accommodate riders using wheelchairs and parents with strollers. Interior signage is presented in three languages – English, Yiddish and Spanish – to help riders navigate the system more easily.
Among those who toured the buses in service on Lakewood roads were Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein; Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Muller, chairman of the Lakewood Development Corporation, which oversees the UEZ program; Public Works Director Phil Roux; Gillig regional manager Andrew Gardner; and Lakewood Township Transportation Liaison and Project Manager Lipa Klein.
Officials said they were impressed by the level of comfort and accessibility on board and reported that riders have been vocal in their support of the upgraded fleet. Additional features are being evaluated for the next round of bus purchases.
“Thanks to the persistent collaborative work of both government officials and community leaders, Lakewood’s transportation system has reached a truly high caliber,” Lichtenstein said. “We look forward to continue advancing the system and adding new routes in the northern, eastern and western portions of Lakewood once additional buses are ready for service.”
Rabbi Muller said the UEZ investment is directly in line with the program’s mission.
“The LDC and UEZ are honored to have secured these beautiful buses to meet the transportation needs of our fast-growing population,” he said. “It helps Lakewood residents get to work and shopping destinations quickly and economically while reducing congestion on the roads.”
Klein said riders’ reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
“The feedback that we continue hearing from riders is amazing,” Klein said. “We look forward to continue working on all fronts and rolling out additional improvements to the Lakewood Shuttle experience in the months and years ahead.”
For information on Lakewood Shuttle routes and schedules, call the hotline at 390-585-2585 or visit the township website at www.lakewoodnj.gov and click on the Lakewood Shuttle tab.
