City organizers in Camden have announced an allocation of $2 million to continue funding the Camden Loop on its two-year anniversary, officially taking place on Tuesday.
The Board of Commissioners will join Mayor Victor Carstarphen (Mayor Vic), several elected officials and the Camden Community Partnership in the event.
The Camden Loop is an on-demand micro-transit service for the city of Camden that uses software to fill critical transportation access gaps and expand upon the city’s existing public transit options. The initiative operates like other ride share programs with affordable pricing for trips throughout the city and other key locations.
The demand for the service has risen significantly and in the last two years, the fleet has grown from five to eight vehicles. Since its inception additional drivers have been hired and hours of service have been extended.
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. had all the praise for its work.
“This service has provided a lifeline for thousands of Camden residents over the last two years,” he said. “Whether it is taking people to work to doctors’ appointments, or to the grocery store, the Camden Loop has provided residents with one of the most critical needs in our modern society – easy access to transportation.”
According to CCP, since launching the Camden Loop in July 2023, the service has garnered 97,000 rides and currently has more than 14,000 active riders, which is approximately 14% of the city’s population. The Loop fills a major gap in the city, where approximately 59% of households own just one or no vehicles and public transportation is limited or unreliable.
Over the course of the last two years, the Loop has helped residents access the most important services. According to CCP, 18% of riders have used the service to get to medical appointments or the grocery store, 16% for transportation connections, and 15% for education.
The $2 million in state funds, which were secured thanks to the advocacy of Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Assemblywoman Melinda Kane, Senator Nilsa Cruz Perez and Assemblymen Bill Moen and Bill Spearman, will allow the Loop to continue its expansion to meet the needs of more Camden residents.
