County reports Ocean Ride use increased during 2006

The Ocean Ride transportation system enjoyed a banner year in 2006, with ridership up on virtually all routes, according to a press release from Ocean County.

"Ocean County is the second largest county in land size in the state," Freeholder 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, who is the freeholders' liaison to Ocean Ride, said the latest ridership figures show both the 17 fixed routes and the several door-to-door services provided by Ocean Ride are growing in popularity.

The fixed bus routes logged more than 114,000 passenger trips in 2006, an 8 percent increase compared to 2005, said Kathleen Edmond, director of the Ocean County Transportation Department.

Ocean Ride's fixed routes travel through 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 most popular route - the Toms River Connection - links Lavallette and Seaside Heights with mainland Toms River, stopping at the Ocean County Mall, the county complex in downtown Toms River, Community Medical Center, the Toms River Business Park and other locations.

The Ocean County Board of Freeholders has been providing transportation services for more than 25 years, according to the press release.

"Twenty-five years ago, much like today, the county lacked the kind of public transportation common in northern New Jersey," Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. "The Board of Freeholders had the vision to say if the state won't give our residents the transportation service they need, then the county will."

In 2006 the freeholders 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.

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

"We're not trying to make a profit," he said. "We're trying to make sure our residents have a safe and reliable means of transportation."

Ocean Ride also provides a specific service missing from most other major transportation networks: door-to-door pickup. 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.

The Reserve-A-Ride program logged 222,471 passenger trips last year, up 2 percent over 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. 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-served basis, and a $1 donation is suggested.

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

Another unique program run by the county provides former servicemen and servicewomen with transportation to Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics in East Orange, Lyons, Fort Dix, Philadelphia and Brick.

"No veteran should be without medical care simply because he or she has no means of travel to a clinic or hospital," Little said. "It's with great pride that our county can offer this important service to our brave men and women who served their nation."

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