| | | | | | | | Council Communication
Department: Public Works Admin
Case/Project No.:
Submitted by: Matthew Cox, Public Works Director | Resolution 23-175
ITEM 6.G. | Council Action: 6/12/2023 |
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| | | | | | | | Description
Resolution authorizing the 28E Agreement with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council/Southwest Iowa Transit Agency to provide paratransit service under the City’s Special Transit Service. |
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| | | | | | | | Background/Discussion
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 Southwest Iowa Planning Council/Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWIPCO/SWITA) provides public transit services throughout Southwest Iowa, and focuses on public transit. SWIPCO/SWITA is a state designated regional transit agency and fully understands the City’s requirements for service. They have provided paratransit services for the City since June 1, 2017.
The 28E Agreement with SWIPCO/SWITA continues the opportunity to work in cooperation with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) and the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Public Transit (Iowa DOT). Using a 28E Agreement is acceptable as both entities are recognized as state designated transit agencies. This is an acceptable practice under Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”) regulations.
This agreement is for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with two options to extend for an additional year in 2024 and 2025. The annual fee for paratransit service with this new agreement is $450,000. This amount includes fuel and routine maintenance of the vehicles. There will be an additional costs for major vehicle repairs or to provide coverage by SWITA vehicles when STS vehicles are unavailable, at a rate of, $75 per vehicle per day.
The previous agreement with SWIPCO/SWITA was a five year agreement with an annual fee amount of $297,917.
Paratransit riders pay $2.50 per one-way trip. The average operating cost per passenger was $22.79 in 2022.
Over the next year, it is recommended that a study and review of service be conducted to identify any possible options to limit the increased costs associated with paratransit services.
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| | | | | | | | Recommendation
Approval of this resolution authorizing the 28E Agreement with SWIPCO/SWITA to provide paratransit service for the City of Council Bluffs.
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