in our Spotlight on Business Report there's a whole new way to get around the city of Camden it's a new public ride sharing service called the Camden loop it's an app that matches you with riders heading in the same direction and it's already helped thousands of residents who are in so-called Transit deserts get where they need to go quickly and affordably Ted Goldberg has the story Camden's leaders are counting on a new app with big Designs Camden Loop a Rideshare service that gets you anywhere in the city of Camden for Just Two Dollars one two three step you download the app you put placing your order for your ride and you're picked up Tamika Mason has ridden the loop a few times since its soft launch a month ago people in Camden have taken more than 3 000 rides since the app went online Mason rides for her job and grocery shopping and Aaron made easier by granting access to a larger range of food stores we definitely are in a food desert and so being able to get get to a grocery Market may be difficult it may be difficult to go to a doctor's appointment because we don't have doctor's offices directly in the neighborhoods and so this service allows us to have that accessibility to be able to do Deli activities of Our Lives I know a lot of people that's that's it's hard for them to get to work like I have a friend that lives in north and can't get out um to um Amber Wilson Leticia Ferguson left a warehouse job to start driving for this new program I just like talking to the customers it's a lot easier than lifting and pulling she says the new gig is a lot more enjoyable it's inspired by a similar app rolled out by Jersey City Ferguson hopes that this state-funded pilot program can continue long term it was actually like cheaper than a cabin I think it's a quarter cheaper than the bus that's amazing ain't it there are some differences between Camden Loop and apps like uber you can only catch a ride on weekdays between 8 and 8 and the cars pick you up at a nearby intersection not your home if you don't download the app there's a phone number you can call to request a driver city leaders say the loop could be a catalyst for Camden more than just simply a way for folks to get around this program will Implement a brand new Transportation option with a primary goal to meet the needs of Camden residents in accessing employment in the city as well as providing efficient connections having this transfer Transportation opportunity is a major Game Changer in our city we are grateful to the state of New Jersey for funding this initiative and to Camden Community Partnership for Designing this Innovative solution some of these cars are wheelchair accessible giving commuters an alternative to access Lake accessibility is a major feature with the Camden Loop in the city where a significant number of our residents speak Spanish Camden Loop has embraced the diverse needs of our community designing an app that is available was Jeanette in espanol as part of the soft launch rides have been free for the past month and they're still free on Friday they start to cost two bucks a pop on Monday and ride bundles should become available over the next few weeks in Camden I'm Ted Goldberg NJ Spotlight news [Music]