COMING SOON – Ride Humboldt Flex!

Ride Humboldt Flex is an on-demand shared ride service that operates from bus stop to bus stop. It is designed to enhance our fixed route bus systems by offering additional connectivity options within our existing service areas.

 

Using Flex allows you to plan customized journeys by choosing optimal times and selecting the most convenient bus stops or other approved locations as both your pick-up and drop-off points. However, it’s important to note that Flex is not a door-to-door service. Currently, Flex utilizes open seats on buses in the Dial-a-Ride program to subsidize these rides. We aim to grow Flex in the future by introducing more vehicles and potentially extending service hours, based on public interest and available funding.

Here is general information about the upcoming program.

  • Map of Humboldt County focused on McKinleyville to College of the Redwoods with dial-a-ride zones highlightedSERVICE:
    • The service area will be our Dial-a-Ride zones shown in Figure 1 to the right.
    • Each zone is $4.00, crossing multiple will add $4.00 per zone crossed during the trip. You can travel from Samoa to Arcata along the 255.
    • Current operational hours are:
      • Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
      • Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • METHODS TO BOOK A RIDE: First, you’ll need to create an account, then you can begin booking rides!
    • On the smartphone app:

 

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  • BOOKING YOUR RIDE:
    • Only same day bookings are available at this time.
    • For round trip rides, you will book your return trip separately from departing trip.
      • Enter pick-up and drop-off locations (remember this will select the closest bus stop to your chosen location)
      • Enter the number of riders and an approximate pick-up time.
      • On the next screen enter passenger information.
      • Choose an option that best suits your needs.
      • Confirm and pay for your ride. All rides must be paid at time of booking. 
      • You will receive texts with updates about your ride.
      • Get to your pick-up location 2 minutes before your pick-up window begins.
⬇️How much does it cost?

See our map for zones. Fares are $4 per person per zone.

⬇️How do I schedule my ride?

Download the Ride Humboldt app. Schedule and pay for ride within app. You can also call (phone number) to schedule a ride. Prepayment is required, which can be done with a card or using preloaded credits on your account. After scheduling you’ll receive text message updates. Make sure to arrive to your pickup location a minute before your estimated pickup window.  

⬇️Why are ride time estimates so long?

As this is a shared ride service, ride times can vary. You could arrive well before the arrival time depending on the number of trips along your route.

⬇️Why is the trip going so far out of the way?

An efficient route for one is different than for multiple riders with different locations. You may find the trip going to unexpected locations as other passengers are picked up and dropped off.

⬇️Do I have to have a smartphone?

The smartphone app has many features that ensure a positive rider experience. If you do not want to use the app, you can book on a computer at https://book.ridehumboldt.rideco.com/ or call (707)442-4555. Updates about your ride will be texted to you if you have mobile phone on your account, they do not require that mobile phone to be a smartphone. 

⬇️What are the booking and cancelation restrictions?

Only same day trips are available. You will not be changed for cancelling if you do it within 3 minutes of a driver accepting your trip. Refunds will be in the form of ride credits instead of going back to your payment method.

⬇️Can I take my bike?

Vehicles are not equipped to accommodate bikes at this time.

⬇️Are the vehicles accessible?

Many Flex vehicles are ADA accessible and includes vehicles with wheelchair lifts, priority seating areas for customers with mobility aids, and welcome service animals. When booking please enter the correct rider type so we can meet your accommodations. Please note, HTA offers the Dial-a-Ride paratransit service to eligible customers. See the Dial-a-Ride page for details.

⬇️How do I know where I will be picked up?

When you enter an address into the app, it will tell you the closest bus stop for pick up and drop off. There is also a zoomable map for another view. The system also confirms this information via text messages to the phone number on your account. 

⬇️Is there a discounted fare?

HTA works to keep fares for all systems as low as possible for riders. Some organizations are providing coupon codes for reduced rides, if you are an organization interested in doing this, please reach out to HTA. For the most affordable options, please see our fixed-route systems.

⬇️Can I pay in cash?

All rides must be paid for at time of booking. If you want to pay in cash you must come into our office at 133 V Street, Eureka to load funds on your account. You can also purchase a prepaid card with cash and use that to load your account. However, like purchasing a bus ticket, we do not offer refunds.

⬇️What are the hours?

Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See our Holiday Schedule for closures.

⬇️How long will the driver wait for me?

Drivers will not wait for you. We advise getting to your pickup location 2 minutes before your pickup window begins.