Committee backs accepting CTDOT and Greater Hartford Transit funding to support Hartford Dial-A-Ride program

The Hartford City Council Health and Human Services Committee voted Tuesday to recommend that the full council accept state and regional transit funding for the city's Dial-A-Ride program, which provides door-to-door transportation for Hartford residents aged 65 and older.

Director Jackson Shahid described the Dial-A-Ride service as a bus service operated by the senior and community services division that allows residents 65 and older to schedule pickups for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other needs. Shahid said the program improves access to food and medical care and receives multiple funding sources. "The Connecticut Department of Transportation and then the Greater Hartford Transit District, they are 2 funding sources for that program," Shahid said.

The committee considered two separate agenda items: item 2.6, a municipal grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation for $68,418, and item 2.7, funding from the Greater Hartford Transit District (amount not specified in the committee transcript). Councilman Gail moved to send both items back to the full council with a favorable recommendation; Councilman TJ Clark seconded. The committee approved both items by voice vote.

Committee members and Shahid clarified that the funding is part of the department's ongoing budget for the Dial-A-Ride program and is intended to continue existing service rather than represent an expansion. Shahid said the service commonly takes seniors to nearby grocery stores and medical appointments and will cross city lines into neighboring towns such as Windsor and Bloomfield when needed, but is not intended to serve long-distance trips to locations outside the region. The committee recorded that receipt and expenditure of the funds were anticipated and built into the department's budget.