East Orange, New Jersey: Most NJ Transit local bus routes in Greater Newark make their final stops shortly after midnight each morning. However, for the hundreds of residents who work until, or begin working, during the early morning hours each day, there is only one form of public transportation available. Many employees of Eastern Essex County businesses rely on the Essex Night Owl for transportation to and from their jobs. The Essex Night Owl, operated by Wood-Ridge, Bergen County-based non-profit EZ Ride, provides free shuttle service in the Eastern Essex County municipalities of East Orange, Newark, and Irvington on both weekdays and weekends from 1:00am to 5:00am. Residents who call at least 24 hours in advance can use the shuttle, which originates at Newark Penn Station, to reach destinations in Newark, Irvington, and East Orange. The shuttle leaves Newark Penn Station at 1:00am, 2:00am, 3:00am, and 4:00am each morning. Commuters who work at Newark Liberty International Airport can take the 24-hour NJ Transit Bus 62 to Penn Station and transfer to the Night Owl. In addition, commuters who work in Jersey City and New York can take the 24-hour PATH NWK-WTC train line to Newark Penn Station before transferring to the service. Each van can fit 20 passengers, and, according to Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., all vans are ADA compliant. 30,000 one way trips are taken each year on the service. To register, call (866) 208-1307. The shuttle service is open to the general public.
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