THE FOLLOWING STORY IS BY BILL PICKETT
Danville City Council members have approved multiple resolutions to ensure paratransit services will continue in the county. Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. explains….
{AUDIO: “Last fall the State of Illinois designated the City of Danville as the fiscal agent for transportation in Vermilion County. What we’ve done tonight is affirm that we will – in fact – provide transportation in the rural areas of the county…paratransportation.”}
Alderman Jon Cooper said he agrees with keeping the service going, but he questioned why there has been no assistance from the county. The City of Danville started providing para-transportation services to dialysis appointments after the Illinois Department of Transportation decided to freeze funding for CRIS Transportation Services. Danville Mass Transit Director Steven White said at the time that the city hoped to provide rides countywide for other medical appointments by February 1st.
IDOT agreed to provide 80-percent of the funding after the city took over the service. Resolutions approved by the City Council at Tuesday evening’s meeting included an agreement with the State of Illinois to provide rural transit and paratransit services, plus agreements with Crosspoint Human Services and Worksource Enterprises.
