Benton County is asking the public to weigh in on the future of paratransit service in the region. Currently, the services are provided by nonprofit contractor Dial-A-Bus, but county officials are looking at options, as concerns have arisen about state and federal funding.
Dial-A-Bus has provided rides for seniors and people with disabilities under contract with the county’s Benton Area Transit for about 25 years. Last December, a consultant hired by the county recommended that BAT drop Dial-A-Bus and run paratransit service itself, citing compliance issues with tightening federal regulations that put funding at risk.
Dial-A-Bus clients and staff have pushed back, and the county has since developed a second option — an “enhanced contract” meant to fix the compliance problems while keeping Dial-A-Bus in place. Both the takeover and the enhanced-contract proposals remain under consideration.
The county says the concern is protecting state and federal funding as reporting requirements grow more demanding. Dial-A-Bus leadership says it was caught off guard by the takeover talk and argues the community has already made clear it wants the nonprofit to continue.
The County has scheduled two listening sessions:
- Aug. 12, 5 pm — Benton County Fairgrounds. Focus: service quality and rider experience.
- Sept. 15, 5 pm — Location to be determined. County staff will present details of both the takeover and enhanced-contract plans.
A final decision is expected in October.
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