Senior News: October 2001
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Dial-A-Ride:
Proposed fare increase could prove harmful
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Dial-A-Ride
Proposed fare increase could prove harmful
by Rachel Windsong
Eleven months ago City Ambulance became the operator of Dial-A-Ride for
the City of Eureka. They promised better service and more cars on the
road. They've kept their word. Their white cars with the large lettering
are frequent sights on Eureka's streets. In recent months ridership has
gone up so much they have added two more cars full time and a third half-time,
according to Jason Chan, Dial-A-Ride manager.
On Sept. 1 Dial-A-Ride and Eureka Transit fares went up 20 cents to $1
for one zone, a minimal increase that has been expected since last May
and was necessary because of a 64 percent increase in operating costs.
However, in the Aug. 21 council meeting a recommendation was made by a
firm hired to evaluate Eureka's transit system that zones be done away
with for Dial-A-Ride and all tickets be raised to $2.
This would mean that those who now pay $1 for a one-zone ride would pay
double, bringing a round trip to $4. It would mean that a group of people
who are on a limited fixed income would have to pay $6 total for a $2
lunch at the Senior Resource Center. Since that is often the only hot
meal or socialization that these people have, it would present a major
problem, perhaps an insurmountable one.
Sanna Wood from Eureka City Hall who is in charge of Dial-A-Ride for the
city, said the proposal was now under consideration. She expected that
within the next 12 to 18 months the increase could be in place. No public
hearing is scheduled on the subject. Wood said, "The law doesn't
require a public hearing. We will bring it in on the consent calendar."
The consent calendar is a group of items dealt with by staff with recommendations
brought into the public city council meeting to be confirmed usually with
no discussion. A public comment period always precedes the consent agenda
and a council member can request an item be pulled out for discussion.
However, there is no prior notice when a subject will be brought up.
The city is committed to a trial period for the $1 fare in each zone,
but Wood said that staff is evaluating all options to handle the increasing
costs of operations.
Rachel Windsong of Eureka travels around the city on Dial-A-Ride. Her
e-mail is windstar@northcoast.com.
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