Ripon Shared Ride Taxi RFP

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- The Ripon Common Council this week approved the Shared-Ride Taxi Service Procurement RFP for 2027 through 2031.

That sets the total number of driver hours at a maximum of 9,500. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says the taxi services continues to operate at a deficit which he estimated would be about $300,000 down from 2024 when it was at $338,781. 

He says they managed to reduce the deficit by raising rates, reducing hours of service, and contributing from the city’s general fund which was $66,000 this year.

He pointed out the cost of operating the taxi service is an hourly rate is currently $32.97, but that rate with Brown Cab is expected to increase to about $44.80 next year.

Sonntag says with Federal and State government only contributing 55 percent of the costs of operating a taxi service they need to reduce the number of annual driver hours.

He recommended the city hold off on looking at increasing the cost of fares this year.