Dial-A-Ride Contract Goes to Costlier Firm

The Glendale City Council on Tuesday awarded a one-year contract for Dial-A-Ride transportation services to Medi-Ride Inc., even though the company plans to charge $34,000 more than a second firm that also sought the contract.

Council members said that in addition to cost, they were considering Medi-Ride’s references and its track record in serving the city since December. The Dial-A-Ride program provides van and taxi transportation to the elderly and handicapped on weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., in Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge and the county areas of La Crescenta and Montrose.

Medi-Ride said it would provide four vans and cab service for $436,725. Another firm, Care Van, offered the same service for $402,795. An evaluation team representing the cities and the county recommended that the contract go to Medi-Ride, beginning July 1.

A city staff report stated that since Medi-Ride took over the ride program on an interim basis in December, complaints have decreased and ridership has increased.

Bradley K. Thesman, owner of Care Van, told the council that he did not believe his firm was properly notified or given fair consideration by the city staff.

Mayor Larry Zarian and Councilmen Richard Jutras and Carl Raggio voted to follow the staff’s recommendation and award the contract to Medi-Ride.

Councilwoman Ginger Bremberg dissented. “I’m not at all sure we played fair on this one,” she said.