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Council hears request to add replacement bus to 2027–2030 TIP and explores microtransit pilot
Summary
City transit staff requested an amendment to the 2027–2030 TIP to include a replacement class 400 low‑floor bus after a totaled vehicle; staff said the vehicle could support a microtransit test, with estimated costs of $275,000–$375,000 and potential federal/local funding splits under discussion.
City staff asked the East Grand Forks City Council to amend the 2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) on April 14 so staff may apply for federal funding to purchase a replacement transit bus and potentially pilot a microtransit service.
The presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Ellis, said a city bus was totaled in September and that under the transit asset management plan a replacement is required (seven‑year or 150,000‑mile useful life). Ellis said the city currently operates three buses and a spare; a new bus was arriving the next day and the bus under discussion would serve as a spare and enable a microtransit test run next year.
Ellis said the MnDOT procurement contract lists an estimated cost of $375,000 for a class 400 low‑floor bus (capacity about 17–18 passengers), but that the vendor estimated a lower market price in the $275,000–$300,000 range. She said the local funding share could fall depending on the federal/local split and on how insurance proceeds are applied, and that final details from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and insurance remain pending.
Councilmembers asked whether vans or smaller vehicles would be appropriate for microtransit; Ellis said vans are not on the city’s MnDOT procurement contract and that the city’s existing people‑mover chassis is changing (from a Chevy to a Ford chassis), which affects vehicle selection. She added that the city expects to start grant work once the bus is in the TIP, but cannot begin procurement until the federal year begins in late September/early October 2027.
No formal council vote was taken at the work session; staff said additional details and an update would be provided at a subsequent meeting.
Key quantitative details provided in the discussion include the MnDOT contract estimate ($375,000), a vendor estimate ($275,000–$300,000), and the transit asset management replacement threshold (7 years or 150,000 miles).
