Case Study: GOTrenton! Electric Shuttle Initiative

Trenton, Mercer County

Opportunity/Challenges
The GOTrenton! initiative aims to improve access and mobility for Trenton residents by providing affordable, reliable, and fully electric transportation through shuttle and van services. Transportation is the number one cause of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey. It also serves as a significant contributor for other air pollutants, like NOx and particulate matter, which have harmful environmental and health effects. Though 30% of Trenton households don’t own a personal vehicle, residents are faced with disproportionately high rates of air pollution. According to Isles, asthma rates are 4 times higher for Trenton children than those in the rest of Mercer County. Through the DEP eMobility Grant Program, GOTrenton! provides an opportunity to access jobs, healthcare, and nutritious food options while reducing air pollution and improving overall economic revitalization.  

Partners
This project is led by Isles, Inc. with support from DEP and the City of Trenton. 

Action
Isles is a community development organization based in Trenton, designed to create and support self-reliant families and communities. They were awarded funding from DEP’s eMobility Grant Program in 2021. In the fall of 2023, they launched the GOTrenton! pilot with a fleet of 4 electric on-demand shuttles.

Funding/Resources
Isles, Inc. was awarded $883,000 from DEP’s eMobility Grant Program to launch and operate the GOTrenton! pilot for one year. Proceeds from New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) provided this funding.  For eMobility grants, the criteria used to determine whether funding will be awarded include its predicted community benefit, its scalability, whether the project meets the parameters of an available funding source, and whether it’s shovel ready. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the proposal form on the eMobility webpage. For more information on the eMobility program and to see if your project qualifies, check out: https://njdepwptest.net/drivegreen/emobility/ 

Results and Benefits
The GOTrenton! program is one of the first fully electric, subsidized rideshare efforts in the country to serve low-income, overburdened communities. The Workforce Van Service, which will provide transportation to and from popular work locations near Trenton, is the next initiative for this project. As transportation emissions are the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions, GOTrenton! is a key step in mitigating climate change, creating positive health outcomes, and improving quality of life for Trenton residents.