Oak Ridge council approves transit contract award after residents press for oversight, app and extended hours

Oak Ridge City Council on May 12 approved a one-year contract not to exceed $230,000 with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate the city's public transit system, contingent on state grant funding, and added new conditions after extensive public comment and council discussion. The council also authorized up to a 90-day extension of the existing ETHRA agreement while the city negotiates the new contract.

The motion as amended requires the city manager to negotiate the contract terms with ETHRA, incorporate public feedback gathered at the May 12 meeting and elsewhere, and bring the final contract back to City Council for approval before execution. Council voted unanimously to approve the amended resolution.

Councilmanic and staff discussion emphasized three recurring themes: clearer city oversight of the transit provider, improved rider communications (including software and a mobile application), and a review of operating hours. City staff said the proposed contract is for one year with nine renewal options and that the anticipated state allocation is roughly $213,125 with an 80% reimbursement rate; the local match would come primarily from the restricted-use state share of the petroleum products tax.

During…