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Council moves forward on four-year ART operations contract with RATP Dev, adds accountability and new outreach roles
Summary
Council authorized a multi-year operations contract with RATP Dev to run Asheville Rides Transit; staff emphasized stronger performance targets, added positions (crisis counselor, customer service manager, HR manager) and liquidated-damage provisions while public speakers urged exploring long-term funding and governance alternatives.
Asheville City Council on March 24 authorized the city manager to execute a four-year contract with RATP Dev for operations and maintenance of the Asheville Rides Transit fixed-route system, a staff presentation and council discussion showed.
Jessica Morris, assistant director of transportation, told council the RFP drew four proposals but only RATP Dev cleared the technical threshold used to screen respondents. Staff recommended RATP Dev based on a best-value evaluation that emphasized strengthened performance measures, additional accountability and a slate of new positions designed to improve rider experience and system responsiveness.
Key contract provisions highlighted by staff include raising the on-time performance target from 72% to 80%, adding a crisis counselor position at the Transit Center to respond to riders in need and de-escalate incidents, establishing a customer service manager and dedicating a human-resources manager to improve recruitment and retention. Staff also said the contract includes liquidated-damages provisions for early departures and staffing shortfalls.
Public commenters and several councilmembers expressed both relief at the service improvements and concern about long-term structural funding and governance. Speakers supported the new accountability measures and crisis services but urged exploration of a regional transit authority or dedicated revenue sources to reduce reliance on a single for-profit operator.
Staff told council the recommended contract would be executed with protections including termination and non-appropriation clauses; the initial authorization covers the first year and the base four-year term as bid. Council discussion included requests for ongoing progress reports to Planning & Economic Development.
