Onward has expanded its assisted rideshare service, Companion Rides, across the full Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) paratransit service region. The expansion comes through a partnership with Transdev, one of North America’s largest public transit operators.
The service now provides more flexible transportation options for paratransit-eligible riders throughout Western Riverside County. Moreover, Companion Rides helps improve access when traditional transit capacity faces higher demand.
Companion Rides began its operations in the DAR service area in February 2026. The program concentrated on the important hubs within the region. After the launch of the initiative, Onward realized a 99.1% fulfillment of rides. This is why Onward decided to cover the whole DAR service area.
“Dial-A-Ride ridership continues to rise as the population ages,” said Jim Steiner, RTA Board Chair. “This new augmented paratransit service bridges an important gap, ensuring RTA provides the best possible experience to our most transit-dependent riders.”
Assisted Rideshare Strengthens Transit Flexibility
Eligible riders will be able to schedule their Companion Rides using the current DAR scheduling services provided by the RTA. Furthermore, riders will have scheduling assistance available to them through the legitimate transportation services of RTA. With increasing demands for accessible transportation, there is a need for flexible solutions from transit agencies. Thus, Onward offers extra capacity through assisted ridesharing.
“The riders we serve don’t have a backup plan and rely on us to help strengthen their transit connection to vital services, like going to medical appointments. Our aim is to optimize agency operations in collaboration with our partners at Transdev while delivering an exceptional experience for RTA riders,” said Kim Petty, Co-Founder and CEO of Onward. “Expanding our footprint across the full RTA region means more riders now have options to improve reliability and timeliness.”
Onward oversees and operates Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliant Companion Drivers. These drivers offer assistance-based door-to-door services. Therefore, the service complies with public transportation contract regulations. Transdev chose Onward’s system to increase flexibility in operation for RTA’s DAR program. The service acts as an alternative service. That will assist when there is excess demand within the existing fleet of RTA’s main service.
“Our focus is on delivering reliable, consistent service to paratransit riders,” said Rich Rogers, Senior Vice President, Southwest, Transdev. “Supplemental options like assisted rideshare help us meet that commitment to our clients, passengers, and communities while supporting flexibility across the system.”
The launch of Onward’s assisted ridesharing program is indicative of an evolution in the manner that paratransit services are run. Transportation organizations are blending traditional fleets with innovative technological services. Thus, the services provided become more reliable and efficient for users. Both Onward and Transdev continue to support advancements in mobility services.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
