Oak Ridge council approves one-year transit contract with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency amid rider concerns

The Oak Ridge City Council voted to approve a one-year contract with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate the city's public demand-response transit system, contingent on grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

City staff presented the proposed contract at the August council meeting, saying the agreement extends weekday hours from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. to 7 a.m.–6 p.m., adds monthly reporting from ETHRA to the city, requires quarterly performance meetings between city staff and ETHRA, and establishes an online customer feedback form the city will have unfiltered access to. The contract is drafted as a one-year term with up to nine renewal options; the resolution before council authorized entering into the attached agreement contingent on receipt of TDOT grant funding.

Council and members of the public raised several substantive concerns during the meeting, focusing on (1) a carry-on grocery bag limit negotiated during contract talks, (2) a one-year trial waiver of rider fares included in the draft, (3) the length and renewal mechanics of the multi-year renewal language, and (4) whether transit users would have a seat at the quarterly and annual performance reviews.

City staff said the RFP originally sought an increase in the allowable number of carry-on bags from three to five to support riders who use transit for grocery…