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SolTrans chooses National Express to run buses
FAIRFIELD — SolTrans, which oversees bus service in Vallejo and Benicia, has decided to replace MV Transportation as its operator with National Express Transit.
The SolTrans Board of Director made the decision Thursday. It could have extended MV Transportation’s contract, but decided last year to put the service out to competitive bid.
MV Transportation continues to provide bus service in Fairfield-Suisun City.
SolTrans Board Member Jim Spering on Friday said he knew of no dissatisfaction with MV Transportation.
“Not at all,” said Spering, who is also a county supervisor. “This is a very difficult decision for the board, because MV has been just a great community partner. They’ve been involved in our community, they helped with a lot of things.”
A SolTrans committee evaluated four companies bidding to run the Vallejo and Benicia buses, using such criteria as experience, the thoroughness of the proposed management plan and other plans and solutions for maximizing service and cost efficiency. National Express ranked the highest.
National Express said it could run the buses for $60.2 million over seven years, compared to MV Transportation’s estimate of $52.6 million. However, a staff report said MV’s long-term fiscal projections seem artificially low given anticipated future expenses.
Staff recommended that SolTrans award a five-year contract to National Express with two one-year extensions, with the first year not to exceed $7.7 million. The first-year costs are $93,000 less than the current contract. Future year costs are to be finalized as revenues are determined.
SolTrans will now work with National Express to complete a contract.
Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929 or beberling@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/beberlingdr.
Barry Eberling
Discussion | 2 comments
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HmmmMarch 22, 2013 - 2:45 pm
Interesting
Reply |NatetheGrateMarch 28, 2013 - 1:04 pm
What's most interesting is that MV was the lowest bidder but the Soltrans board, which had obviously made its mind up before the public vote, chose another company. I don't know if MV did a good job or not, but something is obviously wrong with this process.
Reply |