Ocean Ride continues to grow in popularity

Ocean County's Ocean Ride transportation system continues to grow, providing fixed bus routes and personalized door-to-door service for residents.

"Ocean County is the second largest county in land size in the state," Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said. "Each year, more and more residents depend on our Ocean Ride transportation service for everything from getting to work to visiting the doctor."

Little said the latest ridership figures released by the department show both the 17 fixed routes and the several door-to-door services provided by Ocean Ride are growing in popularity.

Ridership on the fixed bus routes has jumped more than 8 percent in 2006, with 138,655 passengers carried through August, compared to 127,323 for the first eight months of 2005, said Kathleen Edmond, director of the Ocean County Transportation Department.

Ocean Ride's fixed routes travel though most areas of the county, linking many residential neighborhoods with commercial and medical areas.

Specialized routes connect the barrier islands with the mainland. Buses also stop at major commercial regional shopping centers, including the Ocean County Mall, Toms River.

The Ocean County Board of Free-holders has been providing transpor-tation services for more than 25 years, according to a press release.

In 2006 the board provided 51 percent of Ocean Ride's $7 million budget. Additional funding comes from a variety of state grants.

A nominal fee is charged, ranging from 25 cents for students and senior citizens on most routes, to $1.40 for adult passengers on the two-zone Toms River Connection.

Little said the affordable fair makes the bus system more attractive to all residents.

Ocean Ride also provides door-to-door pick-up. Tailored for senior citizens, the disabled and others needing transportation to medical offices, the Reserve-A-Ride program allows residents to call ahead for a bus that will pick them up at their door and deliver them right to their destination.

According to the press release, Reserve-A-Ride, ridership has shown an increase this year. It provided 98,089 rides through Aug. 31, 2006, compared to 94,414 through the first eight months of 2005.

Any resident needing to reserve a ride is asked to call at least two weeks in advance. A very limited number of next-day seats are sometimes available for last-minute transportation.

To arrange for transportation to a medical office, call Reserve-A-Ride at (732) 736-8989 or (877) 929-2082 in Southern Ocean County. A TYY line is also available at (732) 797-2679.

Calls are accepted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Rides are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis and a $1 donation is suggested.

Ocean Ride also provides door-to-door service for dialysis patients.

Through August 2006, the county provided 36,129 dialysis trips, up from 32,684 through the same period in 2005.

Another unique program run by the county provides former servicemen and servicewomen with transportation to Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals and clinics in East Orange, Lyons, Fort Dix, Philadelphia and Brick. To date, the county has transported 1,824 passengers to VA facilities.

More information on Ocean Ride, including maps of all 17 routes is available by choosing "transportation" from the list of departments on the Ocean County homepage at www.co.ocean.nj.us.