Dial-A-Ride services offered in Redmond, La Pine, Sisters and Madras will be changing hands starting the first of the year.

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council is taking over the program from the Central Oregon Council on Aging with hopes of eventually providing better service. COIC is more likely to receive state transportation money, which would improve Dial-A-Ride, according to Michael Payne, with the Central Oregon Council on Aging.

The hours of operation, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, will stay the same, according to a news release from the Central Oregon Council on Aging. But customers will have to start scheduling their trips 24 hours in advance, which can be done by calling the Cascades East Ride Center at 385-8680 or toll free at 866-385-8680.

The former Dial-A-Ride vans will also be given a new logo to mark the change. COIC currently provides Meal-On-Wheels and in-home services for the elderly.

The Dial-A-Ride services in Bend will still be controlled by Bend Area Transit.