Driver Shortage Impacts Somerset County's Peak SCOOT Shuttle

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ ? A shortage in drivers is causing a reduction in service frequency for Somerset County's Peak SCOOT shuttle, the Somerset County Transportation Division announced.

This is impacting riders and businesses in the communities of Hillsborough, Manville, Somerville, Bridgewater, and Bedminster.

Effective Monday, May 1, SCOOT Peak shuttle buses 858 and 859 will be discontinued until further notice. The SCOOT Peak shuttle bus 860 will continue to operate with some time changes/adjustments to assist those affected by the end of services on 858.

Ridership trends were considered in deciding which shuttles to cut.

"Since the pandemic, we?ve seen a reduction in the available workforce for drivers, which has caused significant operational challenges for our county?s transportation system," said Paul L. McCall, Director of Public Works, who oversees transportation.

Somerset County is seeking to hire additional shuttle bus drivers. Interested candidates may visit the Human Resources page on the county website.

The SCOOT system involves a large loop through the center of Somerset County, with 16 stops and shuttles running in both directions. Shuttle schedules on the Somerset County website have been updated to reflect the changes in service.

Somerset County?s other transportation services remain unaffected, including the CAT buses that run east and west between New Brunswick and Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg; the DASH buses that connect the county?s hotels near Davidson Avenue in Franklin with the communities of Bound Brook and New Brunswick; and the para-transit system that provides door-to-door service to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

For more information, contact Somerset County Transportation at 908-231-7115.