New Transportation Initiative Launches In Monmouth County

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — “Ride in Monmouth” has officially launched in Monmouth County and will serve as a new transportation initiative replacing Special Citizens Area Transportation (SCAT), the Board of County Commissioners announced Tuesday.

The initiative is a demand response shared ride transportation service, officials said. All services are first come, first served, by availability and curb to curb.

Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and residents can book their trip as far as six months in advance or as little as 48 hours, officials said, though residents are strongly encouraged to book as far in advance as possible to secure a ride.

“Today, we are here to share our latest venture to make transportation in Monmouth County more efficient, cost-effective and enjoyable for our residents,” Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone, liaison to the Division of Transportation, said.

“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," Arnone continued. "Today we are unveiling Ride in Monmouth!”

Residents qualify for services if they are:

• 60 years of age or older
• Temporarily or permanently disabled
• Veterans
• 18 years of age and traveling from/going to one of the county’s 11 rural communities, including Allentown, Colts Neck, Freehold Township, Holmdel, Howell, Manalapan, Millstone, Roosevelt, Tinton Falls, Upper Freehold and Wall

Ride in Monmouth will provide transportation to:

• Life-sustaining treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and dialysis
• Doctors and medical appointments, physical and occupational therapies
• Grocery stores
• Hair and nail salons
• Barber shops
• The mall
• Pharmacies
• Transit centers
• Senior and community centers
• Food pantries
• Employment training, and more

The initiative will also provide transportation services for other county programs and activities such as Made in Monmouth and the SUSHI program, officials said.

“In 2023, Ride in Monmouth was averaging roughly 20,000 rides yearly, now Ride in Monmouth is on pace to do over 30,000,” Arnone said. “This equates to 400 plus additional rides every month compared to last year.”

According to Arnone, there is now no charge for medical-related trips, including life-sustaining trips like chemotherapy, radiation, and dialysis, or for veterans to travel to VA clinics and hospitals in New Jersey. The costs of all other trips are $2 one way, Arnone said.

To learn more about Ride in Monmouth, you can call 732-431-6480 or email RideInMonmouth@visitmonmouth.com.