MOORESTOWN, NJ — The "SJ Connects" free shuttle service added a new Burlington County line.

The new route begins on September 21 and travels between the Pennsauken Transit Center and Twosome Drive at Church Street in Moorestown.

Riders will be able to take advantage of 11 different stops along the path.

On Monday, local, state, and county leaders joined together with the South Jersey Transportation Authority, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, local businesses, and local health care providers to introduce the benefits and new opportunities.

"When people can more easily reach a job, a health care provider, or an educational institution, the entire region benefits," said Christina Renna, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.

More than 7,000 houses throughout Burlington County do not have a vehicle of any kind, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. One in three households only have one.

Cooper University Health Care is among the health systems that will use this line as an additional resource to help patients and employees.

"With Cooper's Moorestown Campus serving as a starting and ending point for the route, we're pleased to be part of an initiative that will make it easier for people to access high-quality health care," added Anthony Welch, MBA, Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer at Cooper.

The greater SJ Connects project was designed to reduce barriers to educational resources, retail sites, employment centers, healthcare facilities, and other essential services.

As of Monday, the system is considered a pilot program and utilizes 20 ADA-compliant shuttle buses.

The initiative is supported by $5 million in regional funding and is a collaboration with NJ Transit.

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