The NJTPA is seeking young adults with ideas for how to improve transportation in the region and make northern and central New Jersey a vibrant place where people want to live.
The NJTPA launched the
UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group in partnership with
Rutgers’ Public Outreach and Engagement Team in 2019 to get younger people more involved in the transportation planning process. The group is open to residents in the 13-county NJTPA region who are ages 21 to 30. The NJTPA aims to have about 25 active members and is seeking applicants to fill several vacancies. Applications are being accepted through
June 30.
“The NJTPA’s work involves planning and preparing for the future, so it’s important that we engage younger people who will be using our transportation system for decades to come,” said Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, Chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. “The members of this advisory group have helped inform the Long Range Transportation Plan our Board adopted last year, and we look forward to getting their help on the Regional Active Transportation Plan project underway.”
Members of the UpNext North Jersey advisory group provide input on various NJTPA projects and programs, including regional efforts, like the Regional Active Transportation Plan, to smaller initiatives at the county or community level.
UpNext participants have ongoing opportunities to engage with thought-leaders and decision-makers throughout New Jersey. Events could include trips and site visits to unique locations around the region; participation in project-related activities; and opportunities to give back to their communities through volunteerism. The program aims to attract a broad range of young adults, not just those who are already engaged in planning or public policy fields.
“It’s important that we recruit young adults who are diverse as the region we represent,” said NJTPA Executive Director Mary D. Ameen. “We’re looking for people who want to help build the vision for the future of transportation in our region. Planning experience is not required.”
The NJTPA region includes Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties.
Events are expected to take place quarterly and the NJTPA and Rutgers team will be looking to UpNext members to help plan and lead events, using the events as opportunities for participants to be both creative and hone their leadership skills as part of the process.
The application process is currently open. Those interested in joining should
click here to apply. To learn more about the group, visit
njtpa.org/UpNext.