CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the Regional Transportation Authority requesting a continuation of federal funding for the Ride DuPage to Work program
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Deputy Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Ride DuPage to Work program is a sub-program of the Ride DuPage program and began operation in March 2008. Ride DuPage to Work is designed to provide a reduced fare for seniors and people with disabilities to travel to and from work. The Ride DuPage to Work program currently operates under a federal Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant that was secured in 2021 from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) through an application submitted by the City of Naperville on behalf of the Ride DuPage to Work Partners (City of Naperville, Naperville Township, Lisle Township, Wheatland Township, the Village of Glen Ellyn, the City of Wheaton, and Milton Township).
The Section 5310 grant provides a 50/50 split of trip costs taken under the program. Each local partner supports the grant by sharing the responsibility of a 50% local match to the grant award. Without the grant funding, Ride DuPage to Work trips would be fully funded by the local partners. Pace Suburban Bus functions as an additional partner by operating the service. The current grant funding is anticipated to fund the Ride DuPage to Work program through the first quarter of 2026.
DISCUSSION:
On March 20, 2025 the RTA announced another call for projects for a Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant. This call for projects is anticipated to provide an additional 24 months of grant funding. The City of Naperville will submit an application requesting continued funding on behalf of the Ride DuPage to Work partners. The attached resolution authorizing the City Manager as the appropriate authority to submit the application will be submitted as part of the application.
Based on current ridership and trip costs, staff estimates that an additional $660,000 will be required to fund the program for an additional 24 months.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the City of Naperville and its partners will receive a 50% reimbursement for the local share of the cost of trips taken under the Ride DuPage to Work program. The City’s local share for Ride DuPage, which includes the Ride DuPage to Work sub-program is included in the General Fund budget each year.