Monmouth County offers free rides for medical visits for anyone who needs one

FREEHOLD - Monmouth County residents can now schedule two free round-trip rides every week to address their medical, wellness and nutrition appointments.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners has partnered with EZ Ride, the Wood-Ridge based transportation company, to provide free rides to residents looking to make trips related to their health. Residents can travel to medical appointments such as the doctors, dentist or therapist. They can also pick up a prescription or get lab work done. Residents can also book rides to grocery stores, food pantries or farmers markets, according to a Monmouth County press release.

EZ Ride has partnered with other counties, including Essex, where it provides free shuttle service between Newark Penn Station and certain locations in Essex county from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

The new program in Monmouth County is open to any resident over 18, regardless of income. Residents must be able to enter and exit the vehicle with minimal assistance and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated, according to the press release. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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Residents can register for the program by phone at 732-431-7448 or email at MCTransportCoordinator@co.monmouth.nj.us.

Rides can be scheduled by calling a transportation coordinator at 732-431-7448 from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Rides must be scheduled 48 hours in advance and the trip must take place between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. No service will be available on Sunday.

According to the press release, residents without a cell phone can obtain one through Monmouth ACTS at monmouthacts.org or by calling 732-683-2102.

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A separate Monmouth County program, SCAT, provides free transportation to locations in Monmouth County and certain veteran’s hospitals to seniors over 60, veterans and disabled residents. The service prioritizes medical appointments and trips to buy groceries.

Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth County, EZ Ride offer free rides for medical visits