NJ Transit launches public-private partnership to offer free rides to vaccination sites
NEW JERSEY – NJ TRANSIT has kicked off a new public-private partnership to help New Jersey residents get vaccinated, by offering complimentary rides to and from vaccination sites.
The “VAXRIDE” program is funded through the generosity of sponsors led by Novartis and provides for approximately eleven thousand NJ residents to receive up to two free round trips to get vaccinated.
NJ-based, global healthcare company Novartis is the program’s lead sponsor with a commitment of $120,000 for the initiative. NJ-based Catalent, a global provider of drug delivery technologies and manufacturing solutions, is donating $12,000 to help launch the VAXRIDE program. Companies who wish to become a sponsor are encouraged to contact NJ TRANSIT at vaxride@njtransit.com.
“Transportation should not be a barrier for anyone wishing to protect themselves from COVID-19,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “I want to thank our sponsors, including Novartis, for their corporate citizenship and recognizing that we are all in this fight together. Helping those in need is a foundation of our society and I am proud we are able to launch this critical program.”
“Our goal through this public-private partnership is to help and encourage as many New Jerseyans as possible get vaccinated,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett, “We are grateful to Novartis and Catalent for their generous support. In addition to our extraordinary efforts to vaccinate our own employees, this partnership shows that NJ TRANSIT is exploring every possible avenue to ensure that all New Jerseyans have access to the vaccine in support of Governor Murphy’s statewide vaccination goals.”
“As a global healthcare company, Novartis is aligned with the scientific community that vaccination against COVID-19 is safe and effective – and represents our best chance at beating the pandemic,” said Rob Kowalski, US Country President (ad interim), Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, US Head of Global Drug Development at Novartis. “We have a terrific opportunity through our sponsorship of the VAXRIDE program to help provide transportation that will enable our fellow New Jerseyans to get their shot in the fight against COVID-19. This is a critical factor to public health.”
The complimentary tickets will be offered through the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, and an off-line method will also be offered for individuals to obtain tickets without a smartphone.
Customers using the mobile app will enter the promo code “VAXRIDE”, that can be redeemed online for 2 complimentary round-trip tickets. Tickets will be limited to intra-state bus travel only (destinations within New Jersey) and valid only to rail stations within New Jersey. The offer would be a one-time use code (per registered email), with a 60-day expiry to accommodate vaccine availability. People may travel to both publicly- and privately-operated vaccine sites, such as state “Mega-Sites” and local CVS/Walgreens locations.
Individuals without a smartphone may obtain tickets by contacting NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at 973-275-555 and receive your tickets via postal mail.
Registered Access Link customers may also obtain sponsored fares by mentioning the code “VAXRIDE” when making Access Link reservations via telephone.
