The City’s Dial-A-Ride program recently received a major facelift. During a ceremony held last month, the City unveiled three new buses with a new design scheme that coincides with the rebranding of the City’s transportation program, Pico Rivera Transit (PRT).
The City’s transportation program began in June of 1984 with three purpose-built vans that would be used for a new Dial-A-Ride program. Since then, thousands of senior and disabled riders have used the free curb-to-curb service for local drop-off within the City, or they have used it for scheduled doctor’s appointments in or outside the City limits. In 2012, the City’s transportation program grew and was separated between two programs, the Dial-A-Van program, and the introduction of the Dial-A-Cab program. Dial-A-Cab provides low-cost fare transportation while adding more vehicles to the existing transportation program.
Within the last few years, the number of riders had increased, putting a strain on the current transportation program. The Dial-A-Van program operated with only two vehicles, causing delays and scheduling conflicts. The two vehicles used for Dial-A-Van had reached the end of their operational life, and the City took this opportunity to purchase new vans while rebranding the entire transportation program to help better serve our residents.
During last month’s ceremony, three new vans were unveiled, and the City’s Dial-A-Van program officially became part of PRT. PRT will now encompass all of the City’s transportation assets including Dial-A-Van, and Dial-A-Cab, and also includes assistance with applying for Access Service, the ADA Complementary Paratransit service for functionally disabled individuals in Los Angeles County. In addition, PRT provides discounted monthly passes to be purchased with Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) for students, seniors, and disabled residents. Students, seniors, and disabled residents can add discounted passes at the Pico Rivera Senior Center, and Pico Rivera Library, during regular business hours.
For regular users of the Dial-A-Van program and Dial-A-Cab program, PRT will continue to provide curb-to-curb service to any destination in the City and provide transportation to medical appointments up to six miles out of City limits.
New users of the Dial-A-Van and Dial-A-Cab programs can register at the Pico Rivera Senior Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Users of the previous Dial-A-Ride program are encouraged to update their information at the Senior Center to ensure picture and contact information is accurate. Program registration is free until December 22, 2022. Applications received after January 1, 2023, will be charged a $5.00 processing fee.
With all these transportation components in place, City officials are looking at expanding the PRT program in the future to provide even more transportation options for City residents.
For more information about PRT, call 562.948.4844 or 562.801.5551. For Dial-A-Van service, call 323.721.5666.
