Reserve-A-Ride Program | Ocean County Government

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Reserve-A-Ride Program Procedure

Seniors (age 60 and over) and/or persons with disabilities (age 18 and over) on an advanced reservation basis primarily to destinations within Ocean County. Pre-registration is NOT required, just call us when you need your appointment.

Call 732.736.8989
1.877.929.2082 (Southern Ocean County)

You may call Ocean Ride from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM to make your trip reservation. We accept trip reservations on a first-come, first serve basis, up to (4) four weeks in advance.

Trip requests are not accepted via email. All trip requests are to be handled by telephone by calling (732) 736-8989, then press “1” to speak with a Reservationist.

The Reserve-A-Ride program is primarily designed to serve routine medical needs of Ocean County residents. Unlike the Fixed Bus Routes, this service does not operate on the basis of a printed schedule, rather routes and pick-up times are developed each day in response to the service requests we receive. All vehicles are wheelchair lift-equipped.

Once your reservation has been made, the driver will arrive anytime within 1 hour to 1½ hours of the scheduled appointment time (depending on your travel distance). In accordance with Ocean Ride’s Safety Policy, our Drivers are not permitted to enter your home, thus we require that you be at ground level for your scheduled pick up.

OCEAN RIDE FARES (ALL FARES ARE ROUND TRIP):

Reserve-A-Ride Trips:	$6.00 (Riders with Attendants each pay $6.00 per person round trip)
Discount Fare:	$3.00 with valid PAAD* ID card. Call our Reservationists for more information (Riders with Attendants each pay $3.00 per person round trip)
Standing Order Trips:	$6.00 Three or more trips per week for an extended period. (chemo, radiation, & physical therapy. Attendants $6.00)
Discount Fare:	$3.00 with valid PAAD* ID card. Call our Reservationists for more information. Riders with Attendants each pay $3.00)

Riders with PAAD* status must mail in a copy of their valid ID card to Ocean Ride before receiving the discount.

Do you qualify for a 50% PAAD Card travel discount?
*PAAD Card (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled)
To receive the discounted fare, a copy of your *PAAD Card must be on file with Ocean Ride. Please photocopy and mail us a copy to:

Ocean Ride
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191

To find out more information about the PAAD Card:
Call: 1-800-792-9745 or visit: https://nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/l-p/paad/

Riders will be billed via mail, the month AFTER service. Absolutely NO CASH HANDLING on-board the Reserve-A-Ride vehicles.

Cancellation Hotline Number

On weekends and after 4:30 pm M-F, our CANCELLATION HOTLINE NUMBER is (732) 736-8989 and then Press * 100. If your plans change, please remember to call our office to cancel.

When calling after normal business hours, please use our 24 Hour Cancellation Hotline. Simply call (732) 736-8989, and then Press *100. Speak slowly and clearly, stating your name, date of trip being cancelled and your telephone number.

If you wish to cancel or confirm your same day trip during normal working hours, please call Dispatch (732) 736-8989, and Press 2.

Voluntary Donation Policy

The County of Ocean established a voluntary donation in order to comply with various grant-funding requirements. The suggested donation is $1.00 per one-way trip or $2.00 per round-trip for riders of the Ocean Ride (Reserve-A-Ride) service. Passengers may donate more or less, if so desired. Lack of giving a donation will, in no way affect one’s participation in the County transportation service. Recognizing that fares cover only a fair portion of actual transportation service cost, the donation policy provides a mechanism to accept additional revenue over and above fares.

For your convenience, a supply of postage paid, pre-addressed envelopes are available in each Ocean Ride vehicle which you may use to send a donation. Checks should be made payable to "Ocean County Treasurer". Drivers are instructed NOT to accept envelopes or cash donations.

Inclement Weather Policy:

For your safety during the winter months, Ocean Ride requires that you must have your driveway and/or path clear of snow and ice in order for our Drivers to safely pick you up at your door. You may also listen to the following radio stations for information: WOBM 1160 AM | WJRZ 100.1 FM | WOBM 92.7 FM

For up-to-date service information and Inclement weather conditions for service, visit and “Like” us on Facebook.

American Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

Ocean Ride operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with the American Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. Any person who believes that she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under the ADA may file a complaint in writing to Ocean Ride. To file a complaint, or for more information on Ocean Ride’s obligations under ADA write to: Ocean Ride, P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191.

Transportation services provided by this agency are in whole or part funded through federal funds received through NJ TRANSIT and as an individual you also have the right to file your complaint under ADA to both Ocean Ride as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section – NYA, Washington, D.C. 20530. A complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.

Passengers are allowed to bring portable medical oxygen and/or service animal on board the vehicle. This information is available in large format.

If information is needed in another language, contact (732) 736-8989, ext. #5919.

View PDF for more information ADA Complaint Form

Reasonable Modification Policy

The Ocean County Department of Transportation Services (Ocean Ride) will make a reasonable attempt to provide additional assistance requested by any passengers with disabilities so as long as the request does not present a direct threat of safety to the passenger(s) and/or the county employee and/or the request does not alter the fundamental transportation services provided by the County of Ocean.

To make a “Reasonable Modification” request, you must call a day in advance of travel and contact Ocean Ride at (732) 736-8989, Ext. 4.

View PDF for more information

Non-Discrimination Policy Title VI Notice to Beneficiaries

Ocean Ride is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from, or denied the benefits of our services on the basis of race, color or national origin as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Any person who believes that they have, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, may file a complaint in writing to Ocean Ride.

To file a complaint, or for more information on Ocean Ride’s obligations under the Title VI call Ocean Ride at (732) 736-8989, ext. #5919 or write to Ocean Ride at P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191.

Read More

Transportation services provided by this agency are in whole or part funded through federal funds received through NJ TRANSIT and as an individual you also have the right to file your complaint under Title VI to the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Attn: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor – TCR, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590. A complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. If information is needed in another language, contact (732) 736-8989, ext. #5919.

Download Title VI Non-Discrimination Form

A message from Director Barbara Jo Crea
		Director Barbara Jo Crea Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea, a dedicated and active Ocean County leader will serve as the 2024 Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Read more
		Deputy Director Gary Quinn Commissioner Gary Quinn serves as the Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners for 2024. Read more
		Commissioner John P. Kelly Commissioner John P. Kelly has been an Ocean County elected official since 1993. He was sworn into his 11th three-year term on the Board of Commissioners during the Board’s organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Virginia E. Haines Commissioner Virginia E. “Ginny” Haines, a lifelong resident of Ocean County, brings years of public service and leadership experience to the Board of Commissioners. She was sworn into her third three-year term on the Board during its organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Frank Sadeghi Commissioner Frank Sadeghi was sworn to his first three year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3, 2024. A successful businessman and a long-time public servant, Commissioner Sadeghi brings years of leadership experience to the Board. Read more
Michael J. Fiure, County Administrator 101 Hooper Ave. Admin Building Toms River, NJ 08754 Phone: (732) 929-2147 \| Email: MFiure@co.ocean.nj.us
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