TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

Dunedin Donation For Ride Program Questioned

ADVERTISEMENT

By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 24, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - Why should the city fund a pay transportation service for senior citizens and the disabled, when a locally based nonprofit organization is providing the service?

That's the question Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski posed last week when the City Commission was considering donating $15,000 to the St. Petersburg-based Neighborly Care Network's EZride membership transportation service.

Despite those questions, commissioners voted 4-1 to fund the $15,000 gift to EZride, with Commissioner Bujalski casting the lone dissenting vote.

Prior to the vote, Bujalski suggested there was no need for the EZride here because another group, Faith in Action, uses volunteers to drive the elderly and disabled to doctor appointments or on shopping trips.

EZride will offer much the same service but is a fee-based program. EZride membership is open to people 55 and older and the disabled.

EZride has a $50 annual membership fee and a one-way rides cost $3 per trip plus $1.50 per mile.

Bujalski asked why the city would consider giving $15,000 to fund a pay service after reducing its annual gift to Faith in Action during budget hearings this past summer.

Faith in Action has a proven track record of helping seniors in the community and would put the city's $15,000 to better use, Bujalski argued.

Commissioner Julie Scales said the city is giving Neighborly Care Network seed money to help start the new EZride concept.

Carmen Wilson, Faith in Action board president, said she was not worried about competition from the pay service. EZride might actually relieve the burden of having to find as many volunteers to transport seniors, she said.

Those who can afford to pay can utilize the other service, Wilson said.

Faith in Action provided transportation to about 44 Dunedin residents in October, according to Wilson.

City Manager Robert DiSpirito said the EZride is designed to become financially self-supporting. Fees from members and contributions from the business community will eventually offset operating costs, he said.

The $15,000 for EZride is a one-time contribution from the city, DiSpirito noted.

In addition, the city will give EZride certain in-kind services. These include office space and parking at its Hale Activity Center, on Douglas Avenue and marketing of the service on the municipal Web site and Dunedin Cable Channel and in the Hale Center newsletter.

"Staff believes the EZride program is an excellent way to assist Dunedin seniors in maintaining their independence," the city manager said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT