City staff recommends keeping ETHRA as Oak Ridge transit operator; council to consider in May

The Oak Ridge evaluation committee recommended continuing the city's on-demand transit contract with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) and will send that recommendation to the May City Council meeting for final approval.

The recommendation followed a restricted request for proposals issued in February and closed in April. Kendall Moore, a city staff member overseeing the procurement, told the council the evaluation panel considered experience, operational approach, maintenance and facilities, safety and compliance, and cost. Two firms responded: ETHRA, the incumbent nonprofit operator; and LAZ Parking LLC, a private parking and shuttle operator. Moore said the committee concluded ETHRA "demonstrated superior alignment with the operational requirements and fiscal…