County of Ventura, Hazlet Township make on-demand transit service updates

Ventura County, Calif., and Hazlet Township, N.J., have each made updates to their on-demand transit options to better serve their respective communities.  

Ventura County 

Ventura County will be extending its contracts with key Dial-A-Ride transit services in east Ventura County for another two years to continue providing transit services to residents in unincorporated areas through intercity connections. 

Ventura County’s Dial-A-Ride is a reservation-based, shared-ride transportation service that allows seniors and individuals with disabilities to schedule trips in advance, including for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other daily needs. It provides an affordable and flexible transit option in addition to fixed-route public transportation. 

The approved extensions include the service agreement for unincorporated areas of Ventura County and an established agreement between the county and the city of Thousand Oaks, which contracts services with MV Transportation. Ventura County notes its Dial-A-Ride service was originally set to end in 2025, but the agreement will now continue through June 30, 2027. This service provides transportation to eligible riders in Oak Park, Newbury Park, Ventu Park, Lynn Ranch, Rolling Oaks, Hidden Valley and Lake Sherwood. 

The extension also covers intercity Dial-A-Ride services provided by the East County Transit Alliance (ECTA), which includes the cities of Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley, and extends the  agreement through 2027. This ensures continued operation of the CONNECT City-to-City transit program, which began in 2015. 

“Extending these agreements ensures that our communities continue to have access to reliable and accessible transit options,” said Ventura County Chair of the Board of Supervisors and 4th District Supervisor Janice Parvin. 

Ventura County says its Dial-A-Ride services are funded through the Transportation Development Act, a California law enacted in 1971 to provide funding for public transportation services. The agreements maintain existing service structures while incorporating updated billing rates, management fees and fare adjustments. 

Hazlet Township 

Hazlet Township’s Monmouth County has launched its Ride in Monmouth, formerly known as Special Citizens Area Transportation (SCAT). The launch and rebrand of the service was announced and celebrated by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners on March 11.  

“Today, we are here to share our latest venture to make transportation in Monmouth County more efficient, cost-effective and enjoyable for our residents,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director and Liaison to the Division of Transportation Thomas A. Arnone. “SCAT was formed over 55 years ago providing transportation for certain qualified Monmouth County residents and today we are proud to announce a new era in the Division of Transportation. Today we are unveiling Ride in Monmouth.” 

Ride in Monmouth will serve the county’s 60 or older residents along with residents who are temporarily or permanently disabled. The curb-to-curb service operates on a first come, first served basis. The county says this service is also available to veterans or residents18 years of age and traveling from or going to one of the county’s 11 rural communities including Allentown, Colts Neck, Freehold Twp, Holmdel, Howell, Manalapan, Millstone, Roosevelt, Tinton Falls, Upper Freehold and Wall. 

This service will help residents to make their connections to life-sustaining treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and dialysis along with regular visits to the doctor's office and medical appointments, physical and occupational therapies. Riders will also be able to complete errands and get their shopping done at local grocery stores. 

Ride in Monmouth also provides transportation services for other county programs and activities such as Made in Monmouth and the Suburban and Urban School Health Initiative program. 

“In 2023, Ride in Monmouth was averaging roughly 20,000 rides yearly; now Ride in Monmouth is on pace to do over 30,000. This equates to 400 plus additional rides every month compared to last year,” Arnone added. “There is now no charge for any trips medical related, including life-sustaining trips such as chemotherapy, radiation and dialysis, or for veterans to travel to the various VA clinics and hospitals in New Jersey. The cost of all other trips are just $2.00 one way.”