Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes supplemental transportation contract, names Frontier as secondary partner
Summary
After a request-for-quote process, the board authorized a supplementary student-transportation services agreement with Frontier Transportation Services to add capacity for special and out-of-district routes; TCT will remain the heavier initial route provider while Frontier onboards.
The Richfield School Board authorized administration to award a supplementary student-transportation services agreement to Frontier Transportation Services after reviewing proposals from 16 vendors, administration told trustees.
Operations staff said one incumbent, Twin City Transportation (TCT), will continue handling the majority of subcontracted routes as the district onboards any new vendor. Frontier was recommended after on-site visits, interviews and reference checks; administration cited Frontier’s capacity to supply CDL-qualified drivers and experience supporting large districts. “They have the capacity to supply very strong CDL qualified drivers to supplement us as needed,” an administrator said.
Administration described the vendor-selection process: 16 proposals were narrowed to three finalists (American Transportation, Frontier, and Quality Transportation) based on capacity, technology, experience and pricing. Frontier was recommended as the secondary partner to provide individual routes and to support special-education and out-of-district transportation. The district’s primary transportation remains its own bus drivers; subcontracted providers supplement special transportation needs.
Trustees clarified contract roles: TCT will begin with more routes to allow Frontier time to onboard; Frontier will increase routes over time as the partnership matures. Trustees also questioned why Metropolitan Transportation Network (MTN) did not advance; administration said MTN’s proposals were not as competitive on price and the district had ongoing billing interpretation concerns.
Motion and vote: Director Spencer moved to authorize the agreement with Frontier Transportation Services; Director Liss seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with the chair and all directors saying “aye.”
Administration will return with contract documents and any required performance details at a subsequent meeting.
