By Matt Roy, Independent Newsmedia

For aging and disabled riders stranded in Sun City West, their isolated county island may feel like a literal desert island.

Big changes for one local transportation company — including a change of name and management — pose no new solution to gaping holes in the West Valley’s public transit system, but a local agency hopes to help.

The contract between Valley Metro and Total Transit, parent company of Discount Cab, ends June 30. Starting July 1, the service will no longer be called Dial-A-Ride. Instead, it will be called Paratransit. Valley Metro will still oversee it and is partnering with Transdev and MJM Innovations.

Dial-A-Ride offers rides to qualified disabled riders within three-quarters of a mile of any fixed route bus service. However, the nearest Valley Metro bus route — Route 571 Surprise Express — picks up at a park-and-ride near Bell Road and Grand Avenue, nearly four miles from the heart of Sun City West.

Susan Tierney, Valley Metro spokeswoman, said Paratransit providers will use vans and minivans that are handicap accessible, but that Sun City West residents do not have access to the program because there are no Valley Metro bus routes there. That gap in service can hurt senior citizens eager to maintain their age-in-place lifestyle.

When the Sun City West Foundation terminated its bus service earlier this spring, residents lost one of the few options available to fill the gap. Northwest Valley Connect helps residents find transportation resources, including using volunteer drivers and a vehicle of its own, donated by Surprise Honda for a two-year period.

NVC President Kathy Chandler said her agency is working to take up the slack.

“The citizens of Sun City West continue to be transportation challenged with no public transportation routes in the area,” stated Ms. Chandler by email. “Northwest Valley Connect offers rides to the Surprise park-and-ride at no cost. Our mission is to help individuals who call find the best solution for the ride they need.”

The nonprofit agency takes an individualized approach with residents. In some cases, the solution may be as simple as giving someone a ride from their home in Sun City West to the bus stop or park-and-ride. NVC provides services free of charge, but asks those who can afford it to contribute.

“NVC’s services are offered at no cost,” Ms. Chandler stated. “We do ask folks who can to donate but it is not tied to a ride.”

She said riders who have a scheduled need may be able to negotiate, even with traditional cab companies.

“When we discuss other options with callers, we encourage them to ask for a discount or negotiate a cost for the service,” Ms. Chandler added.

NVC is negotiating with ride-share companies to bring new options for stranded locals.

“NVC is working on an Uber or Lyft program that will be offered to Sun City West residents who would like to pay for the trips ahead of time through an account,” Ms. Chandler stated. “We will book the rides and provide the accounting. We are close to rolling this program out.”

The group also needs more volunteers to meet its mission in the community, according to Ms. Chandler.

“We call center volunteers and volunteer drivers to help meet the demand increase from the West Valley, including the Sun City West area,” she stated.

Visit www.northwestvalleyconnect.org or call 623-282-9300.

Editor’s Note: Rusty Bradshaw contributed to this story.