A large influx of seniors taking advantage of the senior/dial-a-ride program in Grand Forks may prompt Cities Area Transit to raise the minimum age for using the service.
As part of the 2024 budget process CAT is looking to raise the senior age from 62 to 67.
Transportation Director Dale Bergman says they routinely receive 20-25 new applications per week – with seniors outpacing disabled customers. “Right now the seniors have overtaken the service more than what there is of the disabled clients that are in need of it. We do not have to transport seniors – but some of the seniors could fit in on the disabled side of it.” Bergman says with baby-boomers aging the disparity will likely continue to grow.
A series of public hearings will be held to gauge support before any decisions are made. He says a potential agency fee is also on the discussion table. The program provided 54,642 rides in 2022.
CAT is also seeing an increase in overall bus ridership. It’s estimated some 279,000 patrons will utilize the service this year – compared to 223,000 in 2022.
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