Dial-A-Ride fares in Arcadia have been lowered by unanimous vote of the City Council as a result of changes in the way the county allocates Proposition A funds. Current fares of $.85 for a regular ride and $.40 for seniors and disabled will be replaced by fares of $.75 and $.25 respectively.
Hoping to improve the Dial-A-Ride system City Council has authorized staff to negotiate a contract with Community Transit Services, Inc., dial-a-ride specialists. The city expects to purchase three vans.
Residents of Temple City living adjacent to the Arcadia Dial-A-Ride station have complained to City Council about the noise, exhaust fumes and litter. They contend Dial-A-Ride has grown too large and should move.
The City Council has extended the operating hours and reduced fares for Arcadia's Dial-A-Ride program. The service is available to anyone within city limits who needs a ride anywhere in town by calling 445-2211.
Pat and Paul Leone, who complained to Arcadia City Council about the noise generated by Dial-A-Ride, took their complaint to Temple City Council. Arcadia owns the vehicles but the operator, San Gabriel Transit, is a commercial business in a commercial zone and cannot be forced to leave.
Senior citizens in Arcadia who use the city's Dial-A-Ride program may have to pay twice what they are paying now to use the system. At a meeting of the Senior Citizens Commission, Brian Gabler, city administrator of the program, said that rates will increase from $.20 to $.40 for seniors on July 1, unless the Arcadia City Council decides to subsidize the program from general funds.
Arcadia will have to start over again in its effort to secure federal funds for its Dial-A-Ride program. The Urban Mass Transit Authority would not approve the agreement with Community Services because of a protest over bid procedures.
Arcadia won approval last week of a dial-a-ride program with 50-cent fares from the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission who agreed to let Arcadia use its Proposition A transit funds to subsidize the program's half-dollar fares until June.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously supports a 5% utility tax on interstate and international telephone calls. The proposed tax will cost about $.40 per person per month.
The City Council unanimously approved a zone change that would prohibit future lot splits in the Lower Rancho Area. The revision increased the minimum lot size from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet.
Don Pellegrino, incumbent on the ballot for City Council, has definitive opinions, listed in this article, on the election issues: the budget, race track admission, utility tax, etc.
Candidate Robert Harbicht, one of eight candidates for two seats on the Arcadia City Council, says he is not campaigning on issues. Article states his views and experiences.