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Birmingham Council OKs $300,000 Paratransit Agreement with Class Tran
Summary
The Birmingham City Council approved a one-year agreement with Class Tran, increasing annual compensation from $250,000 to $300,000 and adding monthly reporting requirements; councilors pressed the provider on service gaps and coordination with BJCTA.
The Birmingham City Council on Aug. 26 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with the Birmingham Regional Paratransit Consortium, known as Class Tran, for paratransit service to elderly and disabled residents. The council approved funding at $300,000 for the fiscal year, an increase Class Tran said was needed to cover rising operating costs.
The vote came after council members questioned why the contract amount rose from $250,000 in the packet to $300,000. Tiffany Taylor, finance manager with Class Tran, said the organization requested the increase because of higher costs across the board, including fuel and insurance. “We did make a request due to the increase throughout the city of Birmingham from 250,000 to $300,000,” Taylor said.
Councilors also pressed Class Tran leaders about scheduling and gaps in service. Owen Thomas, innovation manager with Class Tran, said the provider coordinates with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) to avoid duplicating trips and that Class Tran handles trips with at least one trip end outside BJCTA’s fixed-route service area. “If we take somebody, you know, to an appointment, we definitely make sure that they get home,” Thomas said.
The contract includes new monthly reporting requirements, a change city staff said was intended to improve transparency and coordination alongside BJCTA. Council members urged continued communication between the two providers to reduce overlap and improve on-time pickups.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote. The contract will proceed to signature and the city will expect the monthly reports described in the agreement.
