Kane County bus ride program to continue with more federal support

A program providing on-demand transportation to senior and disabled residents in Kane County will continue to shuttle Dundee Township residents to work, doctor's appointments and shopping trips thanks to a pair of federal and local grants.

A federal transportation grant of $90,000, administered through Ride in Kane, is expected to be matched by villages within Dundee Township and a Pace subsidy of $32,000, said Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney. The Pace subsidy is up from last year's $20,000, which should lessen the burden on local villages' budgets, Harney said.

Village boards in Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow have yet to make final decisions on contracts that were recently sent out for the remaining $58,000.

Launched in February 2008, the Ride in Kane program provides between 400 and 600 rides per month. More than 200 residents have registered for the program. Rides cost $3 for the first 10 miles and $1.50 per mile thereafter.

"These rides get people to their medical appointments, to their jobs and it gets them around the community," Harney said. "There are many seniors who don't have any other transportation options. It could also be the difference between someone holding a job or not."

Harney said about one third of the rides are funded by the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program, a federal transportation program for welfare recipients and low-income people seeking to obtain and maintain employment. The remaining rides are funded under the New Freedom Initiative, a nationwide program to ensure people with disabilities can choose where to work, live and participate in community life.

Janice Murphy, Carpentersville's economic development and special projects coordinator, said the village plans to continue the partnership, but budget reviews are needed before a decision is made.