Takata board awards management contract to Via Transportation amid mixed public reaction
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Summary
The Takata board voted unanimously to award a turnkey transit management contract to Via Transportation after a yearlong procurement; supporters said the move modernizes service, while some residents raised questions about a newly seated board member’s past employment.
The Takata Transit Board approved a recommendation to award a turnkey transit management contract to Via Transportation at its board meeting, voting unanimously to accept staff’s recommendation after a yearlong procurement process.
Board staff described the procurement timeline: an RFI in April, an RFP in August and seven proposals received in October; the evaluation was conducted under Federal Transit Administration procurement policies and procedures and ranked Via as the highest-rated proposer. The motion to accept the staff recommendation was moved and seconded and passed on a 4-0 roll call.
Why it matters: Board members and staff said the contract is intended to modernize the system, improve reliability and preserve local service. The contract brings technology tools the board hopes will improve on-demand and fixed-route operations while aiming to maintain affordability and continuity for current riders.
What supporters said: Sarish Khasat, lead for Via Transportation in the Midwest, thanked the board and described Via’s “data-driven and rider-centric approach,” saying the company will prioritize continuity for passengers and staff while soliciting community input on service design. “Our goal is to ensure a seamless transition for every rider that uses the dial-ride service and the fixed route service,” Khasat said.
Board and community defenders argued the new management could resolve longstanding compliance and reliability problems. Oliver Lindsey, who has worked on finance and compliance, told the board the procurement was thorough and that negotiated vehicle pricing and a fixed-price contract should limit future cost escalations. He urged the board to fill an executive director role required by the organizational chart to protect federal funding.
Community concerns: Several residents raised objections to the board’s recent personnel decisions. Yolanda Taylor said she was concerned because, in her view, Mr. Little had been fired from a prior position and urged the board to investigate that history. Colonial Williams, a former board member, also questioned the reappointment of a figure he described as having a problematic past and called for transparency. Those speakers framed their concerns as questions of trust and oversight rather than procedural challenges to the contract vote.
Responses and context: Other speakers defended the decision, saying past management had corrected Federal Transit Administration issues and that the city needs more reliable and modern service. Board staff stressed that the contract includes language preserving the board’s authority over fare increases and service expansions; any future fare or service changes would require board approval.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve meeting agenda — approved by roll call (Trustee Jackson, Trustee Hatcher, Trustee Singleton, Trustee Robinson recorded yes). - Motion to approve November minutes — approved by roll call (unanimous among trustees present). - Motion to accept director’s updates — approved by roll call (unanimous). - Motion to award turnkey transit management contract to Via Transportation — approved by roll call, 4-0 (Trustee Jackson, Trustee Singleton, Trustee Hatcher, Trustee Robinson recorded yes). - Motion to adjourn — approved by roll call (unanimous).
What’s next: Staff said they will proceed with the transition work with Via, prioritize continuity of operations, begin community outreach and follow up at upcoming board meetings with updated financial, ridership and implementation timelines.
