FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Division of Transportation, which operates the county's Special Citizen Area Transportation (SCAT) bus system for seniors and people with disabilities, has been awarded the 2009 Outstanding System of the Year award by the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation (NJCOST).

 

"For over 21 years that I have been involved with New Jersey's community transportation programs, I have seen first-hand the transformation of Monmouth County's SCAT into one of New Jersey's paratransit leaders," said Michael M. Viera, president of NJCOST. "I am also witnessing other counties looking to Monmouth County and trying to duplicate your successes and innovation ideas. Be proud of your accomplishments."

 

The county's Division of Transportation provides demand response and deviated fixed route shuttles to transport seniors, people with disabilities and the general public in the federally designated rural areas of Monmouth County, bringing them to medical appointments, shopping, nutrition centers and to other destinations in the community on a first-come, first-served basis through a combination of in-house and contract services.

 

"The Monmouth County Division of Transportation has distinguished itself as a statewide leader having been recognized for this award," said Charles Brown III, director of the county's Department of Human Services, which oversees the division. "We have been extremely fortunate to have such a quality service delivered by outstanding employees who care about the needs of their fellow citizens and do so with compassion and professionalism everyday."

 

The transportation division meets its challenge through a combined effort that includes contracts with private vendors to provide "shared ride" taxi service, shuttle and the in-house service called the Special Citizen Area Transportation, more commonly referred to as SCAT. The county's SCAT bus service is the more visible of the two and comprises the bulk of the county's service.

 

"We are honored and proud to be recognized by our peers as the best community transportation service in New Jersey," said Henry Nicholson, director of the transportation division. "It is only through the hard work and dedication of our great staff that we have been able to achieve this award and I wish to recognize each one for their outstanding contribution and can-do attitude. It is everyone working as a team that makes our transportation services work and allows Monmouth County residents to get where they want to go when they want to do so in a safe, efficient and timely manner."

 

The award was presented Sept. 25 at the Robert C. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.

 

#     #     #