Home page: Freeholders, from left, Ralph Sheets Jr., Ralph Bakley Sr., Gerald Thornton, Director Daniel Beyel, Fare Free Director Kathleen Belles, Freeholder Leonard Desiderio with new mini-bus.

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County Fare Free Transportation has taken delivery of four new Mini-buses to better provide for the needs of the residents of Cape May County.

“Safety and quality service are our priorities, however, they come with a price tag,” Freeholder Leonard Desiderio stated in a release. “Each of the new vehicles cost $55,000. All seat 14 ambulatory passengers and have two securement locations for passengers using wheelchairs,” he added.

Fare Free Transportation services nearly 14,000 registered riders, supplies some 250,000 trips, with a fleet of 40 vehicles and travels approximately 600,000 miles per year.

Director Kathy Belles stated, “Fare Free operators did all this… for a period of 13 months between 2007 and 2008… without a chargeable accident. I am proud of our training program and all of our operators who are dedicated daily to the safety of our passengers and the community.”

Seniors, the disabled and other eligible passengers use the service for a variety of reasons, including transportation to work, medical appointments and shopping.

The new vehicles also sport a new image.

Created, at no cost to the county, by Cape May graphic artist Christina Lunde and adapted for the vehicles by her brother John, the new “Sunrise” logo is a tribute to the county’s geographical location nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay, the release stated.

Designed with a new day in mind, it is also an acknowledgment that both passengers and personnel have this new opportunity to move forward to a brighter future.

Desiderio concluded, “It’s a great new look for a great department.”