New Dial-A-Ride program to debut

Dundee Township senior citizens and handicapped residents soon will have more ways to get around.

A 24-hour Dial-A- Ride service from Pace is scheduled to begin Saturday throughout Kane County. People needing rides to doctors' appointments, shopping or to lunch with friends will be able to call a day before trips.

When it is time to go, they will be greeted at their doors by a wheelchair accessible van and be driven for $3 for the first 10 miles and $1.50 for every mile after that.

"This will really improve transportation service for people who don't have cars or can't go to bus stops," said Liz Gade, Dundee Township clerk. "Now, there is a Dial-A-Ride service but it consists of one van and people who need to be driven to doctors' appointments take priority."

The new program will have 25 vans operating in Kane County.

Leaders in Dundee Township and its four villages will pay half the cost for the program, which will be called "Ride in Kane." They are considered partners for the service, Gade said.

"We'll have sponsors helping with the costs throughout the county," said Patrick Wilmot, Pace spokesman. "We have good participation in Dundee Township as well as Aurora and other communities.

"We'll also receive federal grants and use the money for the fares to pay the expenses."

Since the program is new and the costs will be incurred for its demand, he did not know how much the expenses will be.

But there will be a demand for it in Dundee Township, Gade said. To use the service, riders must reserve rides. Reservations will begin on Friday.

"There's about 100 people in the area who can take advantage of the Dial-A-Ride program," Gade said. "The key will be to have them call one number to reserve a ride."

Many of them will be driven to the Dundee Township Senior Center at the Route 25 park district's complex in Carpentersville.

"It will all depend on the activities we have planned for the day," said Mary Stallings, center coordinator. "We have a lot of members who get rides here for lunch and other daily activities. I would imagine five or six people will use it when we have parties."

For details about the new Dial-A-Ride service, call the Dundee Township offices at (847) 426-9717.