Clark Co. Taxi Service to be terminated in 2025

Since 2011, Clark County Taxi Service has been serving residents in the county, driving them wherever they need to go. However, due to rising costs of the service, the Clark County Transportation Coordination Committee (TCC) held a hearing on Nov. 18 to propose changes to the service to offset those costs associated with running the program.

The following day, the Clark County Social Services Committee voted to eliminate the service entirely, recommending any users of the program seek out alternatives for transportation.

Since 2011, the Clark County Taxi Service has served residents at the same rates. The current rates are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $3 for disabled, $3 for minors, $6 for parcel delivery and $5.25 for agency. While the usage rates have remained the same for more than a decade, the costs associated with providing the service have only increased. Some of the increased costs of the program have included the addition of GPS tracking services, hiring drivers, paying for increased fuel costs and increased costs in purchasing and maintaining vehicles. During the TCC hearing, it was also pointed out how many people use the taxi service each year, equalling to less than 3% of the total population of Clark County. With costs continuing to rise, the question was brought up on whether or not to even continue the service at all.

If it were to continue, the TCC recommended changes to the rates and hours of service to try to combat the rising costs. In the proposal offered by TCC, rates would be increased to $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $7 for disabled, $10 for minors and $20 for agency. The parcel delivery would be eliminated and hours would be changed to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with no services offered on weekends.

On Nov. 19, the Clark County Social Services Committee took the updated rate proposal from the TCC into consideration, as well as the possibility of eliminating the Clark County Taxi Service entirely. After looking at the costs to run the service and the feasibility of continuing operations despite these costs, the committee voted to eliminate the taxi service and recommend anyone using the service to use alternatives for transportation.

Residents in need of transportation services can use the Volunteer Transportation Program, which provides non-emergency medical transportation for people ages 60 and older, people with disabilities and other approved individuals who complete a Volunteer Transportation Assessment and are determined to be eligible.

More information about the Volunteer Transportation Program, as well as a way to obtain an application, can be found by calling 715-743-5233. Residents can also use MTM, which provides transportation to medical appointments for residents on BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid free of charge. Rides can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., by calling 866-907-1493.

Residents can also obtain transportation through the New Freedom Volunteer Driver and Voucher Program, which is available to those with a temporary or permanent disability, or elderly people with a transportation barrier. For more information, contact the Center for Independent Living Transportation Services at 1-800-228-3287.

With no public comments during the hearing, the TCC set its next meeting to Feb. 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Clark County Courthouse.

TRG reporter Cheyenne Thomas contributed to this report.