City Rejects On-Demand Bus Bids; Plans Short Extension and Revised RFP

The Jersey City caucus received a report that the city rejected all bids received in November 2024 for on-demand, on-demand bus services and will seek a short-term extension of the current contract to allow time to reissue the request for proposals.

Department of Infrastructure staff said only one vendor submitted a bid when the city solicited providers in November and that the administration prefers a competitive field. The department proposed a three-month extension of the current contract while the city refines the RFP language and reopens the competition.

Officials said part of the revisions will strengthen contract language to address the possibility of drivers organizing or unionizing, and to clarify operational expectations. Staff also noted that some of the city’s Via-branded vans had new or partial wraps because vehicle rotations and maintenance sometimes produce unwrapped or differently wrapped units.

No vote was taken in caucus; the department said it expects to have the extension and new RFP in place within approximately three months and proceed to a new award process once the solicitation has generated sufficient competition.

The caucus also discussed operational details including vehicle availability, maintenance and steps taken to anticipate disruptions such as regional transit strikes.