Wood Dale's Dial-A-Ride costs up, ridership down

With ridership drastically down and operational costs way up, some Wood Dale officials are questioning if the city can afford to keep its Dial-A-Ride shuttle program.

According to a cost analysis by the city services and finance departments, ridership is down almost 25 percent from last year. Meanwhile, the city's cost per 4.5-mile trip is up nearly 75 percent.

"Just last year we were preparing to increase the service hours and thought we may have been able to lower the price if ridership increased," City Manager Frank Williams said today.

"These numbers would indicate that there is no longer high demand for the service," he added. "But that is a decision for the aldermen to make."

Williams said he doesn't know what factors have contributed to the drop in ridership, which peaked at 3,546 riders in 2006.

Most recent figures estimate ridership at 1,790. With increased fuel and operational costs, the city's cost per trip has jumped to $22.61.

Alderman Joe Kolz said a majority of the riders are senior citizens who travel to and from Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. That 4.5-mile trip alone, he said, should make the service worth keeping.

Alternatives are being examined.

Williams said he is exploring whether the city can participate in Addison Township's shuttle service. Another possibility could be for Wood Dale to negotiate an agreement with a local taxi company for an around-the-clock service operated with subsidies from the city.

Williams said he believes the service could be turned over to the township "fairly easily." Calls to the township officials weren't returned.