Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders

Article Summary:
In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride program now covers all 24 townships, removing residency barriers for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The expansion consolidates multiple fragmented systems into a single, cohesive network.

Access Will County Key Points:

• Universal Reach: As of January 1, 2026, the program expanded from 16 to 24 townships, covering the entire county plus one mile beyond its borders.

• Eligibility & Hours: Open to residents aged 60+ and those with disabilities; operates Mon-Fri, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Funding Stability: Staff clarified that the program relies on federal Section 5310 grants passed through the RTA, insulating it from potential state sales tax reductions.

• Ridership Surge: Ridership exceeded 15,000 in 2025, with monthly rides hitting 1,551 in October, effectively tripling volume since the pandemic lows of 2020.

JOLIET – The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, received a detailed report on the complete consolidation of the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride system, marking the end of a “patchwork” era where a resident’s ability to travel often depended on which side of a township line they lived.

Colin Phillips, presenting the quarterly report, confirmed that as of January 1, the program has expanded to cover all 24 townships in Will County. This was achieved by consolidating with the Ride DuPage and Central Will Dial-a-Ride programs, the latter of which served the high-density Joliet area.

“Moving forward, you no longer have an unequal access to public transportation programs if you’re a senior or living with a disability,” Phillips told the committee. He described past frustrations where residents could not reach dialysis or jobs simply because the destination was one township over. “Now… anyone in Will County [who] is a senior or living with a disability can go anywhere in Will County.”

Operational Details and “Curb-to-Curb” Service
The service provides “curb-to-curb” transportation using Pace vehicles equipped with electric wheelchair lifts and secured seating. The service area includes the entirety of Will County, a one-mile buffer extending into neighboring counties (including Munster and Dyer, Indiana), and portions of southern Cook County to ensure access to major medical centers in Tinley Park and Olympia Fields.

Booking rules have also been standardized. Riders can schedule trips between one and seven days in advance. The fare structure is unified at $2.00 for trips within a township and $4.00 for trips crossing township lines.

Board Debate: Funding Security and RTA Taxes
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a debate regarding the financial stability of the program. Board Member Steve Balich (District 4) expressed concern regarding reports that the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) might face reductions in sales tax revenue distributions.

“If we lose funding… how do we do this? Do we increase the fares?” Balich asked. “I always said you have to have a backup plan.”

Phillips clarified a critical distinction in the funding model. He explained that Access Will County is not funded by the RTA sales tax revenue that the board was concerned about. Instead, the program is funded through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) “Section 5310” grants, which are merely administered and passed through by the RTA.

“Our program funding from that avenue is secure,” Phillips assured the committee. “It is completely independent from any statewide concerns we have about RTA funding.”

Financial Performance and Cost Sharing
The presentation revealed that the program’s cost-efficiency has remained stable despite the expansion. In October 2025, the total cost of the program was $89,394 for 1,551 rides, resulting in a cost of approximately $19.77 per trip.

The county leverages grants to minimize local costs. Phillips explained a “waterfall” funding strategy where the county first exhausts grants from AgeGuide (which cover up to 85% of costs for senior rides) before tapping into RTA funding (which covers 50%).

Regarding the consolidation with the Central Will system, Phillips noted the county would not immediately shoulder the full cost. A graduated agreement is in place where the former Central Will partners will continue to pay a share of the costs through 2030, slowly transitioning the financial burden to the county over five years.

Ridership Outlook
When asked by Vice-Chair Mark Revis (District 8) about ridership goals, Phillips projected a significant increase. While the program handled just over 15,000 rides in 2025, the addition of the Central Will service area—which generates roughly 2,000 rides a month on its own—suggests total volume will likely double in the coming year.

Member Kelly Hickey (District 10) celebrated the removal of administrative red tape that previously plagued residents. “I used to make the calls when people from the township would have issues… trying to explain that you need to do Catholic Charities here [or] patchwork things together,” Hickey said. “This is fantastic.”

Residents wishing to register can do so through their local township or by visiting willcounty.gov/access.