MTA board authorizes purchase of 19 cutaway buses to support WeGo Access and neighborhood routes

The Nashville MTA Board on an operations and finance committee recommendation authorized the chief executive officer to contract for 19 body‑on‑chassis buses (cutaways) not to exceed $4,540,525.

Patrick Hester, a staff presenter, told the board the vehicles support WeGo Access service and several fixed‑route neighborhood circulators where smaller, more maneuverable vehicles are preferable. He said the purchase follows a five‑year authorization the board approved earlier that allows up to 125 vehicles from the same contract. A pre‑award inspection by Ameritran confirmed Buy America compliance; Ameritran will perform post‑delivery inspection as well.

The total authorization of $4,540,525 includes a base price of $217,250 per bus plus aftermarket equipment, tools, training and spare parts. Staff said the cutaways have a typical useful life of five years or about 150,000 miles; the agency currently operates 91 such vehicles and plans annual replacement of roughly 19–25 to maintain a state of good repair. Staff also said delivery is expected within the current fiscal year and that supply‑chain constraints that delayed earlier orders have largely eased.

Board members asked whether the cutaway fleet was expected to grow or remain at about 91 vehicles and whether heavier‑duty equipment should be considered as some routes see longer service hours and standees. Staff said replacements are the immediate priority but that slower growth in the cutaway fleet is possible and the agency is evaluating heavier‑duty, smaller buses for routes with longer hours.

The operations and finance committee moved, seconded and the board voted to approve the purchase; the chair announced the motion carried.