GCTD introducing Late Night Safe Riders program

Late Night Safe Riders, a new shared ride, demand-response service, is the latest offering from Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD).

The new service, launching May 10, is available to anyone who requires transportation within the GCTD service area from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  The new service is intended to provide passengers an affordable and safe option during late night hours, in particular workers in fields such as hospitality and health care, who may get off from work late at night.

“With this project we will be able to address a gap in late night service, and also be able to learn more about our passengers’ late night travel patterns after most buses stop running,” said Steve Brown, GCTD general manager. 

The service will be funded for one year by Federal Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant funds with a specific emphasis on assisting essential workers in their reverse commutes.

 This new curb-to-curb service will be offered nightly for a fare of $2/person, one-way.  Cash (exact change) and Token Transit e-fares are accepted. E-Fares may be purchased using GCTD’s Token Transit app.

Requests for transportation may be made the day before or same day (with at least a one-hour notice), up to by calling.  The service will use GCTD’s existing fleet of GO ACCESS paratransit vehicles, some of which are updated with racks to accommodate bicycles. 

The entire ACCESS fleet was also updated with LED dashboard lights to help passengers identify an approaching ACCESS vehicle to pick up a customer.  All passengers will be required to wear masks on board.