Traffic and Transportation Commission forwards Claremont Dial‑A‑Ride short‑range plan after staff warns ridership and costs have surged

Kristen McCullough, Claremont’s community services manager, told the Traffic and Transportation Commission that ridership for the Claremont Dial‑A‑Ride service has surged since the program added subsidized Uber trips, and that the city is likely to spend far more than previously budgeted this fiscal year. “We’re on track to spend over $1,000,000 this fiscal year,” McCullough said during the commission meeting, citing recent month‑by‑month increases in trips originating near the Claremont Colleges.

McCullough said the program receives federal, state and local funds through the Pomona Valley Transportation Authority (PVTA) and that the city anticipates about $668,000 in revenue (including fares) this fiscal year; PVTA had budgeted $641,000 historically. She said the City Council authorized increasing the city budget for the program to $1,033,000 for the year but directed staff to implement immediate cost‑containment measures and to pursue additional strategies via public input to restore long‑term sustainability.

Why it matters: The change in operations — moving part of the Dial‑A‑Ride taxi component to a rideshare partner — has prompted a rapid shift in who uses the service and how often, putting pressure on limited local transit dollars. Staff told the commission the actions are intended to preserve service for seniors and people with disabilities while reducing unanticipated growth in general‑public trips.

Key staff proposals include capping general‑public riders at 16 one‑way trips per month, eliminating destinations outside Los Angeles County (notably trips to the Montclair Transit Center), considering a fare increase for general‑public riders (explicitly excluding seniors and disabled riders), and evaluating reductions in low‑usage overnight hours. McCullough said the cap and destination limits are designed to curb high per‑rider usage while keeping essential trips (for example, to certain Pomona health centers and the Social Security office) available.

Commissioners pressed staff on data and equity concerns. Commissioner Ramos asked whether cutting out‑of‑county trips would strand low‑income riders who work in neighboring areas; McCullough responded that senior and disabled fares and the Get About program would be preserved and that overnight‑usage data are still being compiled for the upcoming public input process. “We are not currently looking at senior and disabled fare increases,” McCullough said, describing the council direction.

Public comment during the item was limited to supportive and cautious remarks. One attendee, identified as Dylan, thanked the commission and staff: “I appreciate your efforts to keep the program solvent,” Dylan said.

The commission voted to accept the short‑range transit plan and forward it to City Council for final review and approval. The motion was made, seconded and carried by roll call (with Vice Chair Weiner recorded absent). Staff said PVTA will complete the transit feasibility study and a rider survey, prepare requests for proposals for future operations and maintenance, roll out a new app and credit‑card payment system, and develop a fleet replacement schedule as part of the next steps.

What’s next: Staff will conduct public outreach on fares and service hours through June, present additional data (including overnight‑usage details) during that public input process, and return recommendations to Council and the commission as the feasibility study and RFP work proceed.