Fall 2022 Issue

From the NJTPA Chair

November 14, 2022

John W. Bartlett, NJTPA ChairI am pleased to present the latest issue of InTransition magazine. As one of the largest Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the United States, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) has long sought to foster discussions of transportation issues and explore best practices among planning organizations across the country.

This issue touches on timely and relevant topics for transportation planning. In New Jersey and neighboring New York, we’ve seen an uptick in microtransit, with Jersey City and New York City both turning to Via, an app-based on-demand transportation provider, to help people get around. Other cities are using similar technology or developing their own.

Another article focuses on the growth of electric vehicle (EV) use, along with a first-person account from an owner navigating the new technology. There has been a spike in EV sales across the country, and we only expect this to grow, especially as the federal government provides additional funding for charging infrastructure under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Speaking of alternative fuel vehicles, we also have an article exploring the use of hydrogen-powered trucks and the potential environmental benefits.

Finally, we take a look at the effect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on transit agencies as we settle into a new normal. While we know essential workers, like emergency personnel, healthcare professionals, and grocery store employees never had the luxury of working remotely, other businesses have—at least for now—decided to shutter their offices in favor of a fully-remote staff or settled on a hybrid approach. I think it’s safe to say we’re all still trying to figure out what the long-term future of commuting will look like.

I hope you enjoy our latest articles and welcome your feedback.