The Buddy Fare is a great way to save money on Dial-A-Ride. With the Buddy Fare, two to 10 people in the same group can ride for only $2.50 each way for the entire group as long as everyone can be picked up within a half-mile radius of each other and all are traveling to the same destination. And yes, a husband and wife qualify as a Buddy Fare group.

The Buddy Fare is part of Dial-A-Ride (DAR), a curb-to-curb, reservation-based transportation service for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities only. DAR gives priority service to individuals who are certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Dial-A-Ride Service

Senior/Disabled Dial-A-Ride is for seniors age 60 and above and for anyone carrying an RTA Disabled ID card or an ADA card. This service operates in Calimesa, Hemet, San Jacinto, Homeland, Romoland, Jurupa, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Perris, Sun City and Temecula. The service also operates between these cities. For DAR services, reservation priority is given to persons certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

How to Apply for ADA Service

RTA provides ADA service to persons who, due to a disability, are unable to use the fixed route bus service. Please call (800) 800-7821 or TTY (800) 800-7820 to request an information brochure with instructions on applying for ADA priority service. Information is also available online here. Once you are certified, you will receive an ADA card. This will allow you to use RTA’s DAR services and receive priority scheduling.

Calimesa
Travels 3/4 of a mile beyond the Route 36 fixed route within the city of Calimesa.

Hemet/San Jacinto
Travels to and from locations within Hemet, San Jacinto, Homeland and Romoland.

Homeland/Romoland
Travels 3/4 of a mile beyond the Route 27 fixed route within Homeland, Romoland, Hemet, San Jacinto and Perris.

Lake Elsinore
Travels to and from locations within Lake Elsinore including Tuscany Hills, Lakeland Village and parts of Wildomar.

Jurupa
Travels to and from locations within Jurupa, Pedley, Glen Avon, Mira Loma, and Rubidoux.

Moreno Valley
Travels to and from locations within Moreno Valley.

Murrieta/Temecula
Travels to and from locations within the cities of Murrieta and Temecula, and parts of Winchester.

Norco
Travels to and from locations within the city of Norco.

Perris
Travels to and from locations within the city of Perris and parts of Mead Valley.

Sun City
Travels to and from locations within Sun City, Quail Valley, Canyon Lake and parts of Menifee.

Service and Holiday Hours

There is no Dial-A-Ride service on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Sunday service will be provided on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day.

Reservation / Information Desk

Reservation Line (800) 795-7887
TTY Reservation Line (800) 369-3610
Cancellations (866) 543-4782
Cancel by e-mail cancel@RiversideTransit.com
Fixed Route Info. Line (800) 800-7821
TTY (hearing impaired) (800) 800-7825
After Hours (866) 543-4782

Reservation Hours

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.

Can I change my destination once I board the bus?
No, once your trip is scheduled and you board the vehicle, you may not change your destination. All trips must be scheduled in advance.

How early should each person in my Buddy Fare group be ready for the bus?
Passengers will be given a 30-minute window for when their bus will arrive. Since the bus may arrive any time during that window, all passengers must be prepared to depart at the beginning of their allotted 30-minute period.

Can the bus driver give me change if I don’t have the exact fare?
No, you must have proper change. Our drivers cannot make change.

Can I bring my child with me?
Yes, but all children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire trip and count as members of the Buddy Fare group. Be sure to let the DAR reservation specialist know they will be traveling with you so we don’t overbook the vehicle.

Can I bring my pet?
Service or guide animals necessary for travel by passengers with disabilities are allowed on all RTA vehicles. Small pets are allowed if they are secured in a carrier that can be safely placed on a passenger’s lap.

Can I carry packages onto the bus?
Yes, but to ensure the safety of our passengers, we ask that you limit the number of carry-on items to two. Once onboard you must be able to keep the packages secure. If you have a cart or stroller, it must be folded up prior to boarding.

Can my personal care attendant come along?
Yes, but be sure to let the DAR reservation specialist know that an attendant will be traveling with you. If your ADA card indicates that you require the assistance of an attendant, the attendant can ride for free.

Can I eat on the bus?
You may not smoke, eat or drink beverages other than water on the bus.

I’m not sure if my pickup or destination is in the DAR service area. How can I find out if it is?
Our reservation specialists can help you with any questions you have about routes and scheduling your trip. Simply call (800) 795-7887.

Scheduling your trip

A Buddy Fare trip can be scheduled one to seven days in advance. Service is based on a first-come, first-served basis and is only available to seniors, persons with disabilities or persons who are certified under the ADA. The group leader is the person who makes the reservation for all of the people in their Buddy Fare group, and they must provide the names and addresses of all of the people traveling in the group at the time they make the reservation. They are also responsible for ensuring that everyone in their Buddy Fare group is within a half-mile radius. If they are not, the trip will be cancelled. When the group leader calls DAR, the operator will provide them with the pick-up time windows for each person in their group, and the group leader will be responsible for letting the others in their group know their time windows.

When a Buddy Fare trip is scheduled, the group leader must have the following:

1) The pick-up addresses for every person in their group
2) The requested appointment time
3) The destination address
4) The time the group wishes to return

Then, the group leader should call our reservation line at: (800) 795-7887 or TTY (800) 369-3610.

Changing your trip or trip members

Once a Buddy Fare trip is reserved, only the group leader can add or remove people from their Buddy Fare group. They can do so by calling (800) 795-7887 or TTY (800) 369-3610 up to the day before the trip. If members of the Buddy Fare group want to check the status of their ride, they can do so by calling (800) 795-7887 and asking for the Buddy Fare reserved under the group leader’s name.

Canceling a trip

If a trip needs to be cancelled, the group leader is strongly urged to cancel it as soon as possible. To do so, call (951) 943-0319 or (866) 543-4782 or TTY (800) 369-3610. If the group leader cancels a trip after 6 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled ride time, the group leader will be assessed penalty points that can result in suspension of service. If the group leader has more than three unexcused “no-shows” within a 30-day period, they will be suspended for 15 days. If the return time changes, the group leader needs to call (800) 795-7887 as soon as possible. We will make every attempt to reschedule the return trip on the first available vehicle.

Fares

$2.50 for the entire Buddy Fare group (two-10 people, including children and attendants). Group leader must pay the $2.50 which covers the entire group’s fare regardless of the number of riders (up to 10). Proper fare is required and no change can be given.

Child Safety Restraint Seats

In the interest of public safety, all Dial-A-Ride vehicles will be equipped with child safety restraint seats that meet state standards required for children under six years of age or weighing less than 60 pounds. All Dial-A-Ride passengers traveling with a child in need of a safety restraint seat are required to notify RTA when making their reservation.

In an effort to improve the availability of appointment time slots and make Dial-A-Ride service more efficient for passengers, RTA has a policy that is designed to limit the number of late cancellations and “no-shows.”

Any Dial-A-Ride passenger who is a “no-show” or cancels their trip after 6 p.m. the day before their scheduled pick-up will be given penalty points. If a passenger accumulates a specific number of points over a period of time, their service will be temporarily suspended. The number of points given for late cancellations and “no-shows,” and the suspension periods and point accumulations are listed below. Please note that in the event of a “no-show,” the return ride or any additional rides scheduled for that same day will NOT be automatically cancelled and will not result in additional points on your record. It is the customer’s responsibility to cancel a scheduled trip.

PENALTY ASSESSMENT

• Any person cancelling a ride after 6 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled pick-up time will be assessed one (1) point.

• Any person cancelling a ride within four hours to 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the pick-up window (the window is 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after scheduled pick-up time) shall be assessed two (2) points.

• Any person cancelling a trip within 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the pick-up window or not showing up at all will be assessed three (3) points.

RIGHT TO APPEAL

Persons receiving suspensions due to the new policy will have the right to appeal. During the appeal process, individuals will be allowed to ride the bus. To file an appeal, a customer or his/her representative must send a written explanation of why the customer should not be suspended along with supporting facts and statements. Appeals should be sent to the Riverside Transit Agency: 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92517, Attention RTA Contract Operations Manager.

Based on its review of the submitted material, an RTA review committee will issue a written determination, which will be sent to the customer and his/her representative within 30 days, if applicable, from receipt of the appeal. The ruling shall be deemed final.

RTA may waive points if it deems that the late cancellation or “no-show” was out of the customer’s control.