Hoffman OKs pilot cab program

Citing a changing community on Monday, after years of discussion, Hoffman Estates trustees established a subsidized taxi program for village residents.

The pilot program is initially only for residents 60 years and older, ones with a disability and those living with low incomes. Mayor William McLeod said the program will be reviewed between six months to a year to see if there's a demand for the rides.

"That's what we're trying to figure out," he said.

The program, which would offer up to a $5 discount per ride, will go into effect within 60 days, Village Manager Jim Norris added.

A rider would have be a village resident and register to be eligible for about $50 in monthly credits, or 10 $5-coupons. The village has contacted American Taxi, Allstar Cab, 303 Taxi and USA Taxi, all who've said they're interested in participating in the program. ID cards and coupons would be distributed. Airport trips wouldn't be eligible. Preliminary rates will be about $2.25 per mile, bills sent monthly.

The village has put aside $50,000 in the budget for the program and estimates the pilot program to costs $15,000 to $30,000 annually. A portion also would be paid for with Community Development Block Grants. The amount from CDBGs would be determined by the number of residents who use the program that live in CDBG-eligible areas.

Trustees have been debating the feasibility of such a program since at least 1999, when residents submitted petitions complaining about public transportation, specifically on problems getting to work. The village also conducted a survey earlier this year to gather information. Six Pace bus routes currently serve the village or are right outside its boundaries.

Barrington, Hanover, Palatine and Schaumburg townships also offer Dial-a-Ride services, which largely serve only seniors and disabled.

"Our goal is to extend it to whole community," McLeod said of the new taxi program.

With development blossoming in the village, the program is needed as there are now, and will be in the future, more places to travel within the village, McLeod said.