Dial-A-Ride program called into question

PINE PLAINS — The Town Board discussed the pros and cons of signing up with a service known as Dial-A-Ride. The idea was first suggested by town Councilman George Keeler at last month’s board meeting.

According to the Dutchess County Web site, Dial-A-Ride is "a curb-to-curb transportation service, designed to serve senior citizens and individuals who have a physical or mental disability which prevents them from using the regular LOOP buses."

After Keeler’s inquiry, councilwoman Dorean Gardner investigated the matter.

"I looked into Dial-A-Ride, and it’s very costly to the town," she said last Thursday. "The municipality would be charged $5,300. We would have to get a lot of elderly people to participate [to help cover and to justify that cost]."

To participate in the Dial-A-Ride program, one must be 60 years of age or older or have a physical or mental disability which prohibits them from doing one of the following: walking more than 200 feet; standing outside more than 10 minutes; negotiating a flight of stairs; getting on or off a standard bus; standing on a moving bus; reading information due to visual impairment or cognitive or learning disability; or hearing announcements by a bus driver.

Those impairments would make it difficult, if not impossible, for a person to ride on the county’s LOOP bus, which serves residents living throughout the region.

Dial-A-Ride currently only serves residents living in certain Hudson Valley towns, none of which are in the Harlem Valley, with the exception of the town of Dover.

In order to participate, one must be approved through an application process that results in an identification card (for more information about that process, call the Dutchess County Division of Mass Transit at 845-452-7433, or e-mail loopbus@co.dutchess.ny.us).

Though they approved of the concept, Town Board members felt the expense was somewhat prohibitive.

"If you’re going to spend $5,300, you have to make sure it’s going to impact lots of people," Gardner said, who then praised the program for its individual attention to its riders. "It not only takes you to your doctor’s appointment, but it also takes you shopping to the mall, etc.

"Right off the top of my head, at $5,300, I do not think we can get enough elderly to make it feasible for the town," she added. "Fifty-three thousand dollars — that’s a lot of taxi rides. But we’ll keep the idea open."

"At the very least I think we should seek some input from our seniors," Councilman Rick Butler said. "This is a big [commitment] to go into blind."

"This is open to anybody, because it’s town funded," Keeler said, noting there are certain requirements put forth from the county. "If people have thoughts on this they should let us know. They should contact us."

"This is for those who have no one," Gardner said. "I would rather put money aside and call a taxi, if there are not enough people who want it."

To weigh in on the issue, contact the Town Board at 518-398-7155 or call Gardner directly at 518-398-1355.