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Transit drivers urge Rochester to consider taking over paratransit amid contract disputes
Summary
Union leaders and Zips drivers urged the City Council to assume paratransit operations after alleged contract breaches and service instability by Sun Transit/Transdev, citing missed pay, lack of affordable insurance and risks to riders who rely on paratransit.
Dozens of transit drivers, union leaders and riders pressed the Rochester City Council on March 3 to intervene in ongoing paratransit contract disputes and consider bringing paratransit operations under city control.
David Stiggers, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 105, said drivers and riders are facing uncertainty after months of stalled contract negotiations. "Our contract should have been done by now," Stiggers said, urging the council to "take into consideration taking over the paratransit operations that is currently held by Sun Transit." He said drivers have been told the Sun Transit owner indicated he would no longer provide service to Rochester.
Multiple drivers described low pay, missing or shorted paychecks and a lack of affordable family insurance. One driver, identified as DD Wear, said he had worked for Zips since August 2023 and has not received a raise: "Things that he's tried to offer in this contract is the most appalling I ever seen ... he doesn't even want to try." Adam Busby, speaking as an ATU representative, added that subcontracting by Transdev to Sun Transit has left drivers and riders vulnerable and asked council to use contract leverage to require better wages and benefits.
Riders also described the everyday impacts of service instability. Ryan Stack, who uses paratransit following a knee injury, warned that understaffing and contractor turnover could create a backlog of rides and harm people who rely on the service to reach medical appointments and jobs.
Council members did not take immediate action on the speakers' requests during the meeting. The council president and staff acknowledged the importance of the service; Mayor Norton noted the city was observing Transit Driver Appreciation Week and thanked drivers for their work. Staff did not present a formal agenda item to transfer operations during this session.
The union representatives asked the council to ensure future contracts allow stronger municipal oversight of subcontracting and to consider a city-run model if contractors cannot meet service and employment standards. The council may revisit the issue when a formal procurement or contract amendment appears on a future agenda.
