El Monte : Dial-A-Ride Suspended
The City Council voted to temporarily suspend its Dial-A-Ride service to elderly and disabled residents after concerns were raised about whether the program was properly insured.
City officials said a Jan. 7 accident involving an off-duty Dial-A-Ride vehicle revealed that Dial-A-Ride contract holder Mid-Valley Transit Inc. was not insured for the livery services Dial-A-Ride provides.
Although Mid-Valley Transit owner Wagih Meleka told the council that he bought the proper insurance coverage beginning June 4, the council voted unanimously to stop providing Dial-A-Ride services until confirmation of insurance is obtained.
The council also voted to transfer the Dial-A-Ride contract to ATE/RYDER, the company that runs the city’s old-fashioned trolley system, on July 1, when Mid-Valley Transit’s $223,000 contract expires. Transportation services manager Gary Byerly said details of the new contract have not been worked out.
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