CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the Technical Services Agreement with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to receive and administer a Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant award for the Ride DuPage to Work program
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jazmin Vega, Transportation Project Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Ride DuPage to Work program began in March 2008 as a sub-program of the Ride DuPage program. Ride DuPage to Work is specifically designed to provide a reduced fare for seniors and people with disabilities travelling to and from work. To implement the program, the City of Naperville works with Pace Suburban Bus and the Ride DuPage to Work Partners of Lisle Township, Naperville Township, and Wheatland Township (known as the Lisle/Naperville Transportation Partners) and the City of Wheaton, and the Village of Glen Ellyn.
The City of Naperville has functioned as the grant administrator of the program since 2009 when Pace ceased to serve in that capacity. Since the beginning of the program, the City, on behalf of all Ride DuPage to Work Partners, has applied for and received federal funding for 50% of the program cost.
In 2021, the City responded to a Call for Projects and submitted an application for continued Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program Grant funding. The City, and its partners, were approved for $660,000, which was estimated to provide funding for services for an additional 24 months.
DISCUSSION:
The Section 5310 grant ($525,000) will cover 50% of the service costs for trips taken to and from work from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029. The Ride DuPage to Work Partners will pay the remaining 50% local match of the service costs. Without the grant funding, trips taken under the Ride DuPage to Work Program would otherwise be taken as part of the Ride DuPage program and 100% of the trip costs would be borne by the funding partners and riders.
The City’s local match has been included in the CY2026 and CY2027 budget for the Ride DuPage Program. Each Ride DuPage to Work Partner supports the Section 5310 Grant by sharing the responsibility of a 50% local match for service costs associated with respective local trips.
The attached resolution will authorize the city manager to enter into a Technical Services Agreement (TSA) with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to receive and administer the Section 5310 Grant funds. The City of Naperville will continue to assume the role of Section 5310 Grant Administrator and coordinate reimbursement of 50% of each partner’s total monthly payment to Pace for the program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
From September 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029, the Ride DuPage to Work Partners shared amount for the Ride DuPage to Work Program is 50% of the aggregate actual cost of all Projects for Ride DuPage to work or $525,000, whichever is less. This City of Naperville local match has been included in the City’s budget for the Ride DuPage Program.