Agoura Hills Dial-A-Ride expands service to San Fernando Valley

Agoura Hills officials announced they will expand service of their popular doortodoor DialA-Ride program with the addition of a Kaiser Hospital stop in Woodland Hills beginning next month.

Additional points of service in Woodland Hills, such as Target, are also being considered, said Meredith Petit, Agoura Hills recreation supervisor.

"The City has received many requests to serve the Kaiser medical facility, which we will offer during the wee," Petit said.

The city also is considering including nearby commercial areas and connecting with the MTA Orange Line. "This will be scheduled doortodoor service for passenger who would like to go to these destinations," Petit said.

Residents who are patients of Kaiser Permanente and interested in using Dial-A-Ride can coordinate their September appointments with the weekday service and can book roundtrip reservations. The new service will be $2 per ride.

Also in September, Dial-A-Ride will offer an after-school service, the Ladyface Loop. The new route will connect Lindero Middle School, Agoura Hills Recreation Center, Agoura Hills Library, Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center and Agoura High School. On school day afternoons, from 3:15 p.m. to approximately 5:45 p.m., DialARide will operate continual service between the destinations for a $1fare.

This summer, DialARide replaced its entire fleet with all new 2008 Chevy Uplander vans that feature low floors for easy boarding with two of the vehicles fully wheelchair accessible with ramps.

The city also expanded the service area to locations in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village on a regular schedule.

"We've had amazing results from the expanded service and are thrilled to see how the new destinations have increased ridership, providing public transportation to residents who hadn't utilized the program before," said Amy Brink, director of the city's Department of Community Services.

The transportation program is open to all residents. Babies must ride in their own car seats. Residents are advised to make appointments a day in advance, but the vans will pick up on a moment's notice if available. One-way trip costs are $1 within city limits and $2 to locations outside city boundaries.

To schedule a ride, call (818) 707-2005.

To comment or obtain more information on the expanded service program, call the Agoura Hills Department of Community Services at (818) 597-7367.