TO: COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 3, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
CLAREMONT DIAL-A-RIDE FARE AND SERVICE HOUR CHANGES
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SUMMARY
On February 10, 2026, the City Council considered a cost-containment strategy for the Claremont Dial-a-Ride (DAR) program in response to significant increases in ridership and operating expenditures. The prior analysis found that Uber service integration and the availability of app-based trip reservations substantially increased General Public ridership, particularly among riders associated with the Claremont Colleges, resulting in program costs exceeding historic and budgeted levels.
At its February 10 meeting, the City Council (Council) authorized immediate implementation of modifications to the Dial-a-Ride service area and established a monthly trip limit for General Public riders. Council also directed staff to initiate additional review and public outreach related to proposed fare increases for General Public riders and potential modifications to service hours. Council deferred any decisions on fare and service hour changes, as these changes require additional public review and noticing.
Since February, the City, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority (PVTA), and transit consultant Agape Mobility have completed additional operational analysis, reviewed peer agency practices, analyzed ridership trends, and conducted public outreach efforts. Based on that evaluation, the City and PVTA have developed proposed General Public fare adjustments and modification of service hours for consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Community and Human Services Commission recommend the following fare and service changes to the City Council:
A. Increase Claremont Dial-a-Ride General Public fares from $2.50 to $4.50 for trips within the City of Claremont boundaries and from $4.00 to $7.00 for trips outside the City of Claremont; and
B. Update Claremont Dial-a-Ride hours of operation to 7:00 AM-8:00 PM daily.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request more information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Claremont Dial-a-Ride program has experienced substantial cost escalation over the last several fiscal years. Annual program expenditures increased from approximately $285,000 in Fiscal Year 2023-24 to $523,000 in 2024-25, and are projected to reach approximately $1,033,000 in 2025-26 absent additional intervention.
While evaluating cost-containment strategies, PVTA evaluated the current 24-hour service model given historically low overnight usage. While PVTA was able to avoid after-hours staffing costs within the current contract structure, future contracts are anticipated to require dedicated after-hours staffing support. Estimated annual after-hours operating costs attributable to Claremont are approximately $70,000 beginning in 2027-28, excluding associated overhead and administrative costs. PVTA recommends discontinuing low-demand, overnight service as a cost containment strategy.
Fare adjustments are not expected to offset program costs fully; however, they are projected to moderate growth in General Public ridership while providing modest revenue increases. Based on standard transit fare elasticity assumptions, the proposed fare modifications are expected to increase General Public fare revenue while reducing demand and supporting the City's broader expenditure reduction objectives.
Starting in 2026-27, the City and PVTA aim to return the Claremont Dial-a-Ride program to an operating cost that is fiscally sustainable given annual transit funding allocations. Although funding levels vary slightly by year, the City receives approximately $650,000 annually that can be dedicated to the Claremont Dial-a-Ride program. The proposed service and fare modifications are intended to support the City's long-term objective of reducing program costs to $650,000 annually, returning annual program expenditures to a financially sustainable level consistent with available transit funding resources.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this program is estimated at $5,900 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Background
Historically, Claremont Dial-a-Ride has served seniors, people with disabilities, and a limited number of General Public riders. The most recent fare increase was implemented in 2013. Since that time, General Public usage was modest and fiscally sustainable utilizing the City’s Federal, State, and local transportation funds.
Uber Integration
In 2024, PVTA and Claremont Dial-a-Ride operator Transdev brought on Uber as a subcontractor to provide Claremont Dial-a-Ride rides that were formerly provided via taxi service. PVTA also implemented an app-based system for requesting trips. With the integration of Uber, quicker pickup windows and convenient app-based reservations have made the program more attractive to General Public riders.
Recent Shift in Ridership Patterns
Beginning in July 2025, ridership patterns shifted noticeably. General Public ridership increased substantially, particularly trips that originate at and near the Claremont Colleges. The graph below shows rapid growth in General Public trips, with rides originating from the College campuses accounting for most of the new demand. During this period, College riders represented approximately two-thirds of all DAR Uber trips, while non-College General Public ridership remained near historical levels. Senior and Disabled ridership did not experience similar growth during the same timeframe.
Cost data indicates that rising expenditures are attributable to increased trip volume rather than higher per-trip costs. The figure below demonstrates that College-associated trips are generally less expensive on a per-trip basis than Senior and Disabled trips; however, their high frequency has resulted in a substantial increase in total program costs.
Prior Council Direction
At its February 10, 2026, meeting, the City Council authorized immediate implementation of modifications to the Dial-a-Ride service area and established a monthly trip limit for General Public riders. Council also directed staff to initiate additional review and public outreach related to proposed fare increases for General Public riders and potential modifications to service hours. Council deferred any decisions on fare and service hour changes, as these changes require additional public review and noticing.
Additional Operational Review
Following Council direction, PVTA staff and consulting firm Agape Mobility conducted additional review of Claremont Dial-a-Ride operations to evaluate service patterns and refine recommendations. This analysis reaffirmed that increased costs are attributable to both rising operating costs and substantial growth among General Public users. Further review concluded that same-day, app-based trips by General Public riders continue to be a significant contributor to increased utilization.
The subsequent analysis identified two principal recommendations for further consideration: modification of service hours and adjustment of General Public fare levels.
Service Hour Recommendation
Claremont currently provides Dial-a-Ride service on a 24-hour basis and remains among a limited number of agencies in Los Angeles County offering around-the-clock service. Most comparable transit agencies operate during more limited service windows.
Review of ridership data found that most trips occur between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with demand declining substantially during evening hours and overnight activity remaining minimal.
Claremont Dial-a-Ride Usage: Senior and Disabled Passengers
Dial-a-Ride Usage: General Public Riders
Although Uber service provides cost efficiencies, after-hours operations continue to require dedicated staffing and oversight. Current service delivery requires dispatch and operational support resources that may increase future contract costs. Based on this analysis, PVTA and City staff recommend modifying operating hours from 24-hour service to service between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily. This recommendation aligns service availability with demonstrated demand patterns while reducing future operating costs.
General Public Fare Recommendation
Additional review also determined that current Dial-a-Ride fares for General Public riders remain comparatively low relative to similar transportation services and peer systems. Analysis found that many neighboring agencies limit Dial-a-Ride service exclusively to seniors and persons with disabilities, while Claremont continues to provide broader access to all rider groups.
Staff therefore recommends modifying General Public fares as follows:
• General Public trips within Claremont: increase from $2.50 to $4.50
• General Public trips outside Claremont: increase from $4.00 to $7.00
Claremont Dial-a-Ride fares were last increased in 2013. The recommended fare structure focuses specifically on the rider category experiencing the largest increase in utilization and is intended to moderate demand while preserving accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities. Even with the proposed changes, fare levels would remain substantially below standard transportation network company (Uber) pricing and more closely align with regional transit practices.
Public Outreach Process
Consistent with City policy and applicable Federal Transit Administration requirements, the City and PVTA conducted a public outreach process that included workshops, community engagement opportunities, survey efforts, and preparation for a formal noticed public hearing. Outreach activities included a Dial-a-Ride workshop at the Joslyn Center and additional public engagement intended to gather community feedback. In addition, notices regarding the specific proposed fare and service changes were posted one week prior to the Community and Human Services Commission meeting and nearly four weeks prior to City Council review. The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing on June 23, 2026, to consider fare increases. The City Council will consider the Community and Human Services Commission’s recommendation as well as public comment when evaluating the recommended fare and service changes.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, the 2024-26 Budget, and the Youth and Family Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan Kristin Mikula
Community Services Director Community Services Manager