(Photo By: Raymond Mendoza)
Senior Management Analyst, Anthony Santos, discusses the details of the City’s Dial-A-Ride service.

By Raymond Mendoza

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar’s City Council met with a relatively short meeting on Saint Patrick’s Day, Mar. 17.  The big issue of the evening concerned the renewal of the City’s Dial-A-Ride program.

Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Lyons was absent from the meeting.

As the first order of business, the Council read off the list of scheduled events, including the Planning Commission meeting on Mar. 24, the State of the City event on Mar. 25, the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting on Mar. 26, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Apr. 4, and the next City Council meeting on Apr. 7.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including the minutes for the Mar. 3 study session and regular meeting of the City Council; the minutes for the Jan. 22 Parks and Recreation Commission; the ratification of a check register in the amount of $1,229,546; the award of contract to ICG, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $20,000 for the design of the Longview Park North Swing Set expansion and as-needed conceptual design work, and appropriation of $12,000 from savings in the Economic Development/Professional Services Account; the approval of Contract Amendment No. 3 with Fehr & Peers in the amount of $18,000 for the professional services related to State Route57/60 Freeway Congestion Relief Strategy; and the adoption of resolution for granting an easement for construction, operation and maintenance of Southern California Edison facilities located on Lot 63 of Tract 72295, commonly referred to as Diamond Canyon Park.

Without any other business, the Council moved onto Considerations concerning the approval of a three year contract for a company to provide Dial-A-Ride service to the City. Dial-A-Ride is a city-wide transportation service that gives residents a ride anywhere in Diamond Bar for 50 cents, and rides to hospitals beyond the city limits for $1.50.

According to Diamond Bar Senior Management Analyst, Anthony Santos, the program has been a staple in the City since 1995, and is available for senior citizens over 60 and any disabled adult residents. With Santos’ recommendation, the City would cease its partnership with California Yellow Cab – the company which held the previous contract – and begin a new contract with American Cab Co., LLC.

Santos said one of the major factors in switching over to American Cab Company was the extensive savings for the City, which would be estimated at nearly $100,000 per year.

“American Cab was the best cost of the most responsive bidders,” Santos said. “We’re estimating approximately $25,000 per month and over $300,000 per year. California Yellow (Cab) was looking at over $30,000 per month and closer to almost $400,000 a year.”

After Santos’ explanation, Council member Carol Herrera said the transition to the new Dial-A-Ride service provider will be “simple and seamless,” and that it will continue to provide an outstanding service to the Diamond Bar residents.

The City Council approved the three-year contract agreement with American Cab Co., LLC for approximately $350,000, to be paid through the City’s Proposition C Local Return Funds.

Residents looking to use the Dial-A-Cab service can call (800) 578-6555.

The Council then adjourned with plans to meet again on Apr. 7 at 6:30 p.m., at the AQMD/Government Center at 21865 Copley Drive.