Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Tidewater Transit LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Via Transportation, Inc., to provide paratransit services under the City’s Special Transit Service.

The City’s Special Transit Service is a complementary paratransit service to the fixed route bus service mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

The City has partnered with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council/Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWIPCO/SWITA) to provide paratransit services since 2017.  After the last 28E agreement was executed with SWITA, representatives recommended an RFP process for future service contracts.  Recently, SWITA notified the City of their intent to discontinue services at the end of the current agreement, and stated they would not be responding to the RFP.

The City received one response to the RFP.  Via is a provider of public mobility solutions and is partnered with more than 750 cities and agencies across the world.  Their organization is staffed with transit experts, is technologically advanced, and has a proven track record of success.  Utilizing industry-leading technology and operational expertise, Via has demonstrated an ability to deliver efficient paratransit services in many locations, including ADA-accessible services in Sioux Falls, SD; Green Bay, WI; and Toledo, OH.

Via is currently assisting Metro with a microtransit pilot project to supplement bus services in Omaha.  A presentation to the City Council discussing study results for fixed-route transit, paratransit, and microtransit options is anticipated in the next month.  Via can assist the City with developing a future microtransit option if the City decides to incorporate on-demand services.

The new agreement is for a five-year period, with an option to extend for additional terms, provided the total duration of the contract, including any renewals, shall not exceed eleven years and six months.  The annual fee for paratransit service under this new agreement is estimated to be between $400,000 and $500,000.  

Via’s proposal includes a rate of $41.38 per vehicle hour for year 1.  The average rate per vehicle hour for SWITA for FY25 is $46.74.

Paratransit riders will continue to pay $2.50 per one-way trip.  The current average operating cost per passenger is $28.65 per one-way trip.  

Approval of this resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Tidewater Transit LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Via Transportation, Inc., to provide paratransit services for the City of Council Bluffs.