Council reviews transit relaunch plan and funding to replace six paratransit vehicles
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Summary
At the March 31 pre-meeting the council heard a briefing from the city nd Via transit staff about a planned July relaunch of routes and branding and approved moving existing transit revenues into a capital account to fund upfront purchases for six paratransit vehicles; staff said the Federal Transit Administration would reimburse about 80% of vehicle costs if the grant is awarded.
The Mobile City Council heard a detailed briefing on March 31 about the planned relaunch of the city—s transit system and a request to move existing transit revenues into a capital account so the city can front the purchase of six paratransit vehicles.
Jacob, the city—s transit designee, told the council the relaunch is scheduled for July after a nine-month assessment by the new operator and that the funding request does not add new money to the budget. "Everything that is here that is listed is not new money," Jacob said, adding that roughly $500,000 represents unspent budgeted allocation, about $140,000 is farebox revenue and there is reimbursement held from the previous operator. He said the city needs about $840,000 up front to order six paratransit vehicles that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will reimburse at an expected 80/20 split if the federal formula funding application is awarded.
Why it matters: council members pressed for transparency on the fleet plan, ridership trends and the timing of purchases so they can assess whether route and asset changes will serve constituents equitably and avoid service disruptions. One member said she wanted the council to see the reconfigured routes and asset plan before purchases are made.
Council members and staff agreed on several immediate follow-ups. Jacob said he would provide a spreadsheet of the existing fleet with mileage, model years and the vehicles identified for replacement. He also said the city would share the preliminary route study with councilors within about 30 days and that Via will be asked to brief the public services subcommittee before the relaunch.
Staff characterized the six vehicles targeted for replacement as paratransit/demand-response assets that have reached or passed their useful life; Jacob said they were originally purchased in 2018 and have exceeded expected service life and mileage. He cautioned that selling still-serviceable vehicles would require some repayment to the federal government, so any decision to downsize the fleet must account for that requirement.
The next steps: staff will supply the requested spreadsheet and ridership trend reports and will work with the administration to notify the council prior to any vehicle purchases. Purchasing is expected to be timed across fiscal years to align with receipt and federal reimbursement; Jacob said the city does not intend to make major purchases before September and expects receipt of vehicles in a later fiscal year if procurement proceeds.
Quotes
"We have identified 6 assets that need to be replaced," Jacob said, describing the paratransit vehicles as the priority replacements.
"None of this is additional money to the budget," Jacob added, urging that the council view the transfer as capitalization of existing allocations rather than a new appropriation.
Ending
Councilors asked staff to provide the fleet spreadsheet and ridership breakdown (fixed route versus demand response) and to present the proposed route changes prior to the July relaunch so members can gather constituent feedback. No formal purchase was approved at the pre-meeting; staff said further notices and documentation will be provided before any procurement request returned to the council.
