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Council approves new tiered agency fares for Janesville paratransit
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025‑923, moving Janesville Transit to a tiered agency fare structure for paratransit trips in 2026; staff said agency fares are charged to human‑service organizations and the city expects about 1,600 agency rides with roughly $64,000 in related cost/revenue.
The Janesville Common Council unanimously adopted an ordinance on Nov. 24 revising agency fares for Janesville Transit’s federally required paratransit service.
Transit Director Rebecca (Becca) Smith explained the service is a door‑to‑door minibus or minivan service required for riders who cannot use fixed‑route buses because of cognitive or physical conditions. Starting in 2026 the city will implement a tiered per‑trip agency fare for organizations that pay for rides on behalf of eligible clients; the fare will vary depending on seating needs (for example ambulatory seats versus bariatric or specialized wheelchair seating).
Smith noted that riders who pay cash continue to pay twice the cash fare (the city’s rider fare remains $3 per trip) and that agency fares are charged to organizations because federal funds can reimburse those agencies. Staff estimated roughly 1,600 agency fare rides in 2026 with an estimated $64,000 in costs and associated revenue reflected in the 2026 budget. With no public testimony the council adopted file ordinance 2025‑923 following the public hearing.
The change takes effect in 2026 and is tied to a new vendor contract for paratransit service management.
