News Summary
The East Ridge City Council is considering adjustments to the Care-a-Van program amidst increasing costs. With ridership low and potential fare hikes, officials seek sustainable solutions to maintain essential transportation for residents. Discussions include alternative service options to mitigate rising expenses in the coming years.
East Ridge, Tennessee – The East Ridge City Council is exploring changes to the Care-a-Van program, a vital transportation service for residents, amidst rising costs that threaten its sustainability. City officials, led by City Manager Scott Miller, are working to find solutions to ensure that citizens continue to have access to necessary transportation options.
Since its inception in 2018, East Ridge has partnered with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) to provide Care-a-Van services. However, the current usage of the service has remained low, with only 1% of the city’s population utilizing the program. As of August 2024, the price per trip has doubled, rising from $10 to $20 for one-way trips and from $20 to $40 for round trips. Currently, the program has seen a total ridership of 3,200 trips this year, reflecting an annual increase in demand.
Looking ahead, city officials warn that costs could rise even further, with potential increases placing the price at $47 for a one-way trip and $94 for a round trip starting in the fiscal year 2025-2026. This escalation could push the total cost to approximately $150,000 per year for the Care-a-Van program, stressing the city’s budget.
Several factors are contributing to these cost increases. The primary reasons include a lack of funding from Hamilton County to CARTA for 2025, the depletion of American Rescue Plan funds that had previously subsidized transportation services, and the exhaustion of a grant that supported the Care-a-Van operations. As a result, a $47 charge per trip has been proposed as a means to achieve financial break-even for the service.
Service Usage and Demographics
The Care-a-Van operates seven days a week and has various usage categories. Recent data on trip purposes reveal that:
- 22% of trips are for shopping
- 10% are for entertainment
- 17% are for medical appointments
- 18% are specifically for dialysis appointments
- 24% support employment needs
- 9% are used for general purposes
City leaders are working closely with CARTA to explore options to reduce service costs, including potentially limiting the frequency of service usage or reducing operational hours. Vice Mayor David Tyler has suggested alternative solutions for residents, such as utilizing delivery services from pharmacies and grocery stores, arranging Uber rides with accessible vehicles, and investigating Medicare coverage options for certain transportation needs.
City Council Initiatives
Mayor Williams has expressed support for maintaining a sustainable level of service while acknowledging the necessity for potential service limitations. In an effort to mitigate rising costs, City Manager Scott Miller has tentatively proposed budgeting $100,000 for the Care-a-Van program, focusing primarily on essential services for medical, dental, and dialysis-related appointments. If implemented, this approach could lower the operating costs down to around $54,000.
In light of these discussions, council members will receive information regarding available options and services to ensure citizens have the support they need in accessing transportation.
During the recent city council meeting, additional topics were addressed, including a proposal to amend the appointment process for citizen advisory boards. The council also granted approval for Whataburger to make sign variances at its Ringgold Road location and sanctioned a medical clinic to operate within the R-1 Residential district at 842 South Germantown Road. Furthermore, the city awarded a contract to WWRD for providing concessions at parks and recreation events, entitling the city to 25% of gross profits. Lastly, a change order for the new East Ridge Animal Shelter was approved, incurring an additional $8,000 due to tariff-related cost increases, as well as modifications for the North Mack Smith Road widening project caused by the discovery of unexpected buried pipes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga’s Transportation Authority Proposes Budget Increase for 2026
Additional Resources
- Chattanoogan: East Ridge Weighing Benefits & Costs
- Wikipedia: East Ridge, Tennessee
- Times Free Press: Evelina Kertay Announces Chattanooga City Council
- Google Search: Chattanooga City Council
- KTVB: Landslide Closes US 95 Between Council and New Meadows
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Idaho
- Times Free Press: Hamilton County’s Freshman Lawmaker Appointed
- Google News: Hamilton County Lawmaker
- Local 3 News: Brother of City Council Member Live Streams Arrest
- Google Scholar: City Council Arrest
