JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.- -- The 87th Force Support Squadron kicked off a new shuttle program for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey residents July 24, 2019. Commanders from around the joint base attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the new shuttles and take the first ride around base.
“The new FSS shuttle buses that we have developed will provide a safe metro-style ride to DoD ID card holders ages 16 and up, free of charge to facilities across McGuire and Dix with future expansion to Lakehurst,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Cecily Jackson, 87th FSS contracting officer representative. “We have two different routes, the express and regular routes.”
The express routes will be on McGuire and Dix 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. These routes are meant to target the lunch hour so members can use the shuttles instead of their personal vehicles. The regular routes will begin July 31, 2019 and cover McGuire and Dix 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Additionally, these routes will stop at highly-attended areas on base such as the Commissary/Exchange, Fort Dix housing, outdoor recreation and Falcon Courts North Park area.
“One of the biggest needs is for people who don’t have consistent access to a vehicle and we saw that most often with new Airmen who are arriving to base and with the dependent population,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jenna Maginnis, 87th Contracting Squadron contract specialist and project officer for the shuttle program’s initiative. “We are hoping that everyone wants to take a ride on it and use it.”
It is currently in its BETA testing stage to get a feel for what members want and need. 87th FSS requests feedback from the joint base community either online or through the survey slips on the shuttle. Feedback can be given on the Joint Base app or the following link: https://gomdl.com/fss-shuttle/
The program came together with the 87th Contracting squadron, 87th FSS and the 87th Logistics Readiness squadron and is contracted out to H.J. Stout Transportation Company.