Committee reviews proposed transit contract with Via (Port City Transit LLC); employee transfers, contract term and funding remain under negotiation

Mobile — The Mobile Public Services Committee on Thursday discussed a proposed contract that would replace current operator Transdev with Port City Transit LLC (operating with Via Transportation) to run the city’s public-bus system, covering a proposed not-to-exceed annual payment of $12,100,000 and a planned nine-month review of routes and service design. The committee did not take a formal vote and several terms remain under negotiation.

The contract on the agenda would set the city’s maximum annual obligation at $12.1 million, Scott Collins, a city staff presenter, said. Collins said about $4.1 million of that total was expected to be supported by federal awards that Via would pursue and manage, and that the city would effectively pay approximately $8 million if those awards are obtained.

Committee members said the term length, employee-transition language and near-term operational protections were the highest priorities. Councilman Corey Penn said, “I’m not voting on anything today,” and pressed for contract language that would change the renewal structure to require City Council approval before any multi-year renewals. Collins said Via had proposed alternative renewal options during negotiations but that Via had provided a verbal…