The Pureland East-West Community Shuttle launches June 1, offering service between Avandale Park & Ride in Winslow and Pureland Industrial Park in Logan Township.

Backers of the project hope to provide public transit for area residents employed at Pureland Industrial Park -- home to more than 180 businesses employing more than 8,500 people -- and for others who need a better way to get across Gloucester County for work, medical appointments and any other needs.

"We put the word 'Community' in there so people understand that anyone can ride it," explained Ronda R. Urkowitz, of Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association, one of the project's partner agencies.

Supporters of the project gathered Thursday in Glassboro for a kick-off event.

Gloucester County Freeholder Director Bob Damminger marveled at the interest shown in the shuttle service.

"I can't believe how popular this has gotten," he told attendees Thursday. "Over the past two weeks, we've fielded calls left and right. This is popular before it's even started."

Damminger said he has talked to residents who say they will be able to keep their jobs thanks to this new service and has heard from employers who can now count on skilled employees actually having a reliable way to get to work.

Why is this service needed?

The shuttle is intended to address an identified transportation need: The lack of direct access across the county -- east to west -- for residents who rely on public transportation to get to work. New Jersey Transit offers plenty of north-south routes, officials note.

While a primary goal of this service is to help workers employed at Pureland, the 10 stops along the route will give thousands of area residents options.

Collaborating on this project are Gloucester County government, the Pascale Sykes Foundation, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, NJ Transit, United Way of Gloucester County, Heart of Gloucester County and Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association.

"This is a great day for Gloucester County families," Frances Sykes, president of the Pascale Sykes Foundation said Thursday.

Sykes noted that transportation fits into the foundation's mission of helping working low-income families.

"We like to think that as people achieve their goals that they set, they need a steady source of income," she said. "They need well-paying jobs and they need reliable, safe transportation to get the jobs and keep the jobs. The Pureland East-West Community Shuttle will provide that transportation."

The foundation and NJ Transit are providing the funding to operate the shuttle.

When does the shuttle operate?

The service runs Monday through Friday, with the first bus leaving Avandale Park & Ride just before 5 a.m. Morning service runs through 11 a.m. Afternoon service begins after 1 p.m. and the final run to Avandale Park & Ride arrives at 7:16 p.m. Find the complete schedule here.

Are shuttle stops convenient for me?

A map of the Pureland East-West Community Shuttle. (Photo provided by Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association)

The shuttle route includes 10 stops between Winslow and Logan townships, including stops in Williamstown, Glassboro, Mullica Hill and Swedesboro. Several of these stops connect with NJ Transit routes. NJ Transit will provide free transfers from the shuttle to 11 connecting NJ Transit bus routes.

In addition, you may flag down the shuttle anywhere along the route, provided the driver has a safe place to stop. Those taking the bus to Pureland will find a free circulator bus that travels around the 3,000-acre Pureland complex.

How much will it cost to use the service?

Trips are one dollar each way, but are free during the first month. Children under 6 (who must be accompanied by an adult) always ride free. The internal Pureland shuttle is free to ride.

Who will use this service?

Organizers stress that the shuttle is available to anyone who needs it, including Pureland workers, students, seniors, riders heading to doctors appointments or trying to catch a connecting ride elsewhere in the state.

"This is a service open to anyone," said Michael Gower, executive director of the United Way of Gloucester County. "This is for everyone that works, lives or can use this route in any way to connect through South Jersey and in Gloucester County.

How is this service funded?

Pascale Sykes Foundation is providing around $421,000 and NJ Transit is providing $95,000. This funding, along with the fares, will cover the first 12 months of operations.

Who operates the service?

South Jersey Transportation Authority will operate the shuttle.

What kinds of buses are used?

The air-conditioned vehicles seat 26 and are wheelchair accessible.

Where can I learn more?

Find schedules, maps and much more online.

For customer service, call 856-614-1072.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.