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New Dial-A-Ride fleet is unveiled
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Rob Varela / Star staff Van driver Wayne McCormick assists Agoura Hills resident Ellen Wohl out of the new vehicle.
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Agoura Hills on Monday rolled out its new fleet of five Dial-A-Ride vans, which feature low floors that allow easier entrance and exit than other vans, according to city officials and first-day riders.
Ellen Wohl, a member of the city's Senior Advisory Committee, climbed into a van for its first official ride around city streets.
"It was very easy to get up the ramp and into a seat," said Wohl, who uses a walker. "The ride was very smooth, took the speed bumps much better than my car."
The event Monday was an open house. The vans' first day on the job will be June 2.
The city has provided the shared-ride, door-to-door service using vans and drivers from First Transit Inc. of Ohio.
Now that the city has bought the five 2008 Chevrolet Uplanders, First Transit will continue to drive, maintain and store the vehicles, said city officials.
The $170,589 purchase was possible because of a grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said City Manager Greg Ramirez. Because of the grant, the city's net cost was $47,647, a "real bargain," he said.
The vans can accommodate six to seven passengers and sport the latest safety features, said Meredith Petit, city recreation supervisor. Two vans are equipped with fold-down ramps to be wheelchair accessible.
To be picked up for a ride, residents may call 818-707-2005 when they are ready to leave or call ahead to schedule a pickup with a guaranteed drop-off time. The fare is $1.
The city has operated the service since 1985. It racked up about 180,000 miles in fiscal year 2006-07, with just under 40,000 passengers, according to city figures.
With budgets tightened statewide, "there are very few Dial-A-Rides left, and funding is getting tougher," said Mary Calvin, First Transit's district manager.
Regular Dial-A-Ride operates Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 818-707-2005.
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