GoCal outlines free GOAT ride service from Ontario Airport to local hotels and attractions

GoCal officials described a free ride service called GOAT that connects Ontario International Airport with hotels and local points of interest in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.

"The GOAT was created as a result of some grant funding we received from Congresswoman Norma Torres with the help of the city of Rancho Cucamonga," a GoCal presenter said, explaining that the service is free for visitors and limited to trips between the airport, participating hotels and designated points of interest.

Presenters said the service recorded roughly 41,000 rides since inception during its initial week of operations and that 97% of riders gave it a five-star rating; they added that the service was able to complete only about 50% of requests due to demand exceeding capacity. The service is app-based and restricted to preapproved points of interest inside city limits, rather than general point-to-point on-demand service.

GoCal framed the transport pilot as a way to reduce redundant shuttle and rideshare trips and to increase the economic benefit of visitors who stay in local hotels.