While Rising Gas Prices Create Financial Bump in the Road for Drivers, Many Seabrook Residents Enjoy a Smooth Ride

While gas prices have jumped to well over the $3 per gallon mark in the last week, the drastic increase is no obstacle for some residents of the Seabrook retirement community in Tinton Falls.

Many of the almost 1,400 residents who live at Seabrook take advantage of free transportation provided by the community, which is included in their monthly service package, to access local shops and services.

On a recent day, Barbara Murray, who is a transportation driver for Seabrook, walked into the lobby of the Town Square Clubhouse at the retirement community and announced, “Local  shuttle? Local shuttle?” 

A resident of the community smiled, said hello to Barbara and boarded the 10-seat bus, which will take her to one of several regular stops including the Tinton Falls Center, CVS, The Shops of Tinton Falls, Walmart, Home Depot and the Jersey Shore Premium Outlet Mall.

Gas prices throughout New Jersey and the country are surging.  According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the average price of gas per gallon in the state is $3.14, up 10 cents from last week and up from the average cost of $2.55 per gallon from last year. Nationally, the average is $3.29, up 13 cents from last week and up sharply from a year ago when the national average was $2.69.

Gas prices per gallon on Monday topped out at $3.33 at the Lukoil located on Route 35 in Eatontown near the Monmouth Mall as well as the Exxon at the corner of Wykoff Road and Route 35 also in Eatontown.

Seabrook residents are regularly driven to spots throughout the county, including “Doctor’s Row,” which refers to the medical facilities along Corlies Avenue in Neptune, including Jersey Shore Medical Center. 

There are 250-300 residents who use Seabrook’s transportation to ride around parts of the campus and Monmouth County on a daily basis, according to Tony Ciavolella, public affairs manager for Erickson Living that owns and operates the community. 

“Our residents are truly benefitting from the transportation service provided to them,” said Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks.  “In a typical month our vehicles will leave campus approximately 200 times to take residents shopping, to go to doctor appointments and other special trips.  More and more residents are taking advantage of our service.”

As for Barbara, who is one of 14 drivers at Seabrook, she said she feels that not only is the transportation a beneficial service, but it may mean more to the community’s residents.  “The shuttles are truly a wonderful part of life at Seabrook,” Barbara said.  “It not only gets residents where they want to go, but gives them a sense of independence.”