Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 14, 2011

Metro to continue current paratransit contract through June 2013

Allows time to evaluate current business model, develop next RFP

The Metro Board Finance and Administration Committee signaled its support today, April 14, to exercise the final two-year option of the paratransit contract with the current service provider, MV Transportation, through June 2013 while preparing for the next round of competition for the contracted service.

The current contract expires on June 30, 2011. Metro staff briefed the Finance committee in March about management and cost containment efforts that have begun to change the way some people with disabilities use public transportation. The briefing included details about the success of eligibility and travel training initiatives, which promote greater use of Metro’s fully-accessible fixed route services, and recent Board policy that aligned the service area and fare structure to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

“Exercising the final option of the paratransit contract allows time to evaluate the current business model and develop the next paratransit RFP with input from the community and other stakeholders, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee,” said Catherine Hudgins, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and its Finance Committee. “While we look for innovative ways to further contain costs for the next contract period, this extension allows for a transition between contractors that does not disrupt service for our customers with disabilities.”

The full Board is expected to vote on the paratransit contract at its April 28 Board meeting.

News release issued at 1:52 pm, April 14, 2011.