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Peoria approves $200,000 software upgrade to move transit to on‑demand model and contract with TNCs
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Summary
Council authorized a $200,000 one‑time software purchase and approval to replace the fixed‑fleet 'WeRide' contract with transportation network companies, with staff estimating roughly $1 million in annual savings and a $15 per‑trip subsidy under the new model.
Peoria — The City Council unanimously approved an administrative change Nov. 18 to move Peoria Transit toward an app‑based, on‑demand dispatching model and to replace a fixed‑fleet contracted service with a transportation‑network‑company (TNC) model.
Staff asked the council to authorize a one‑time software purchase of $200,000 to enable real‑time dispatching and an app‑based on‑demand experience. The presentation said annual maintenance for the software was already budgeted. Staff described an implementation window of about six to 12 weeks for the software and said they planned to time transition actions to minimize rider disruption.
Transit staff said the change would expand the limited service area now served by the current contracted service and yield substantial operating savings. “We would be able to save on an annualized basis about $1,000,000,” staff said. Staff reported the current contracted 'WeRide' service provides about 8,200 trips at an estimated cost of $142 per trip; under the proposed TNC model the city would subsidize roughly $15 per trip and riders would cover remaining fare costs.
Council members pressed staff on ADA accessibility and safety. Transit staff said ADA compliance — including interactive voice response (IVR) and screen‑reader compatibility — would be a contractual prerequisite in the software upgrade and that the TNC network includes specialized providers (taxis, medical transport) and drivers meeting ADA criteria.
Staff said there would be no net new financial request: the one‑time software cost would be paid from savings and existing budgeted amounts, the city expects overall savings and plans targeted outreach to current dial‑a‑ride and WeRide users about the change. The council moved and the item passed 7‑0.
The implementation timeline depends on the software upgrade, contract approvals with TNCs and outreach; staff reserved Dec. 16 for a follow‑up study session and expected operational changes starting around Jan. 1, subject to timing.
