70 ILCS 3615/5.25

(70 ILCS 3615/5.25)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 5.25. Dial-a-ride service program.

(a) As used in this Section, "local dial-a-ride service" or "DAR service" means a door-to-door transportation service, other than that mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that is operated by a Service Board or other unit of local government within the service area of the Authority and that allows passengers to request pick-up and drop-off by telephone or other means and does not follow a fixed route.

(b) A hired third party shall work in collaboration with the Authority, Service Boards, counties, and townships that operate dial-a-ride services to evaluate existing dial-a-ride programs and create recommendations for coordinated service across the region. The recommendations shall consider coordination with existing dial-a-ride service and fixed-route service operated by the Service Boards and potential expansion of fixed-route service operated by the Service Boards. The Authority shall work with the Service Boards, counties, and townships that operate dial-a-ride services to implement the recommendations following an affirmative vote of the Board of the Authority.

(c) After the recommendations have been completed, the Authority may establish a DAR service program policy and authorize the deposit of Authority moneys into a DAR Service Program Fund. Amounts on deposits in the fund and interest and other earnings on those amounts may be used by the Authority, with the approval of its Directors, for:

(1) operating cost assistance up to a maximum of 80% of the operating cost of the DAR service provided by a unit of local government;

(2) capital cost assistance for vehicles and technology obtained by units of local government to deliver DAR service;

(3) payment of Authority staff deployed to help support DAR services operated by units of local government and for other operating expenses incurred by the Authority relating to the provision of DAR service by units of local government or an operating unit of the Authority; and

(4) payment of capital costs incurred by the Authority relating to its support of DAR service provided by units of local government or by a Service Board.

(d) If the Board creates a DAR service program policy that provides guidance on what DAR services provided by units of local government are eligible for Authority support under the DAR service program policy, then the DAR service program policy shall include:

(1) the level of operating and capital subsidies available to units of local government from the Authority under the DAR service program policy;

(2) eligibility criteria for units of local government to receive operating or capital subsidies from the DAR service program policy;

(3) a description of technical support the Authority may supply units of local government that operate DAR services;

(4) a description of how units of local government may obtain DAR services from a Service Board of the Authority;

(5) requirements that DAR services must be consistent with service standards established by the Authority to be eligible for operating or capital subsidies from the Authority;

(6) the requirements for integration of a DAR service operated by a unit of local government into the Authority's fare collection, service branding, travel information, and other systems required to provide riders with seamless integration of DAR services with the Authority's fixed-route transit services in the metropolitan region;

(7) standardized hours of operation, rider eligibility criteria, fares, service standards, and use of fare media compatible with the Authority's fixed-route services, and other service-related requirements established by the Authority that shall be in effect for all DAR services funded by the Authority;

(8) Authority funding support levels tied to objective criteria, such as vehicle revenue miles, passenger miles traveled, unlinked passenger trips, vehicle revenue hours, cost per DAR service ride, the number of zero-car households in the service area, and the percentage of trips by DAR service users that also include travel on the Authority's fixed-route services;

(9) requirements of any limitations on the provision of DAR service across DAR service areas and to destinations outside the metropolitan region; and

(10) standardized forms of agreements between the Authority and units of local government used in the administration of the DAR service program setting forth the funding arrangements, service levels, performance measures, and other requirements for participation in the program.

(e) The Authority shall not provide operating or capital funding for a DAR service that does not meet the requirements of the DAR service program policy.

(f) To better inform and implement the DAR service program, the Authority shall establish a DAR Service Coordination Council consisting of officials from each of the county departments of transportation in the metropolitan region as well as a diverse set of representatives from other local units of government, social service providers, and other community stakeholders. The Coordination Council shall advise the Authority on DAR service program policies and shall assist the Authority in improving DAR service quality, coordination, and consistency throughout the metropolitan region.

(g) The Authority may establish a DAR Service Board to effectuate the goals and requirements of this Section.

(h) If the Authority creates a DAR program, then the Authority shall address DAR service issues and its DAR service program policy in its Strategic Plan and in its other plans and programs.

(Source: P.A. 104-457, eff. 6-1-26.)