Council awards transit operations contract to RATP Dev; county expects better grant access and service modernization

The Volusia County Council voted 7–0 on May 6 to award a multi-year operations-and-maintenance contract for public transit to RATP Dev USA, replacing the current management arrangement. The contract begins with onboarding immediately and full operations oversight starting August 15, 2025.

Bobby King, Transit Services Director, told the council the solicitation sought a contractor able to provide full-service operations and maintenance, assume liability exposure, and bring modern technology and performance-driven management to Votran. County staff said the contracted model should improve grant reimbursement processes and operational efficiency while protecting the county’s general fund contribution; the proposed fiscal year budget shows a roughly $477,320 reduction in general-fund support compared with the current year, staff said.

Under the new arrangement the contractor will be paid a fee tied to service miles while providing corporate and on-site management, service modernization and performance incentives tied to customer satisfaction, on-time performance and safety. Staff emphasized the contract contains termination-for-performance provisions and monthly performance reporting requirements.

Council members welcomed measures to improve paratransit scheduling, customer-service technology and safety reporting. Council asked staff to return with performance updates as the new contractor phases in.

The motion to approve the contract was made by Councilman Danny Robbins, seconded by Vice Chair Reinhart, and the council approved the contract unanimously.