Chatham County directs staff to start RFQ process for transit providers, study paratransit efficiencies

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 9 directed staff to begin the process for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for public transit providers and to study potential efficiencies for paratransit and countywide transit services.

Chair Chester A. Ellis read a motion asking staff to “begin the process necessary to proceed with [an RFQ] for our providers of public transit service in Chatham County” and to review paratransit operations and possible efficiencies. The board moved and seconded the item and then cast votes; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally.

Ellis clarified the county’s immediate step is to identify qualified providers, not to open a procurement for service bids. “These are not anybody bidding on anything. What we’re doing now is we’re setting the staff in motion to get folks who are qualified to present us with transit services,” Ellis said.

Commissioners stressed continuity of service and competitive review during the discussion. Anthony Wayne Noah recommended seeking competitive bids and ensuring fiscal prudence; another commissioner urged that public transit “is not going away” and described the RFQ as evidence the board intends to preserve service.

The board’s direction will launch staff work to produce the RFQ and related evaluation materials; formal contract actions would follow later steps in the procurement process and require separate board approval.

What’s next: staff will prepare the RFQ and present recommendations to the board. The transcript does not include a published schedule or vote tallies.