Dial-A-Ride to continue serving community after finding new insurance

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (WSBT) — A ride-share in Benton Harbor nearly had to close its doors after losing insurance coverage.

Dial-A-Ride officials said they’re happy to still be serving the community.

Ride shares have become part of our daily lives with Uber and Lyft.

Benton Harbor’s Dial-A-Ride remains open, but it was close to closing.

The service lost its Michigan Transit Pool insurance in September.

Dial-A-Ride needed to find a new insurance carrier by December 1st.

“We started this process in October. Because as small as the market is, it caused time. In terms of ridership, there is no impact. What compelled us to disclose this publicly, there were so many rumors floating,” said Todd Shurn, Dial-A-Ride Director.

Nearly 11,000 riders would’ve been impacted.

Shurn said that this will cost his company more money, but it was needed to continue operation.

Riders will not see any increase in cost.

With Benton Harbor not having Uber or Lyft available, Shurn said Dial-A-Ride is how many people in the city get around.

“We have a lot of people in Benton Harbor. They don’t own automobiles, so they need a way that is reliable for them to get to the grocery store, to the hospital, to government offices and services that they need,” said Shurn.

According to Shurn, this situation could happen again, but the company will find a way to maintain operation.

Dial-A-Ride also plays a crucial role in getting students and staff to and from Lake Michigan College.

Shurn said he can’t image how students without vehicles in Benton Harbor could attend.

“It is critically important because if they don’t have transportation, they can’t get there if you wanna go somewhere just go whatever. Where Lake Michigan College is irrelevant to a lot of people. They don’t have vehicles live and it’s beyond walking distance,” said Shurn.

Dial-A-Ride plans to start offering rides from between Benton Harbor to places like South Bend starting next year.