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Council asks staff to pursue federal microtransit grant with NICOG and Quality Connections
Summary
The council directed staff to work with NICOG and Quality Connections on a competitive FTA 5311 microtransit grant application due mid-February; presenters proposed a baseline three-vehicle shared microtransit system, a $630,000 federal ask and a city contribution request of about $325,000 (including a $75,000 setup cost and $250,000 recurring).
The Page City Council on Jan. 14 voted to ask staff to return to the council with a final proposal for a microtransit service and related federal grant application after a presentation from NICOG and Quality Connections.
Todd Morris of NICOG told the council the region has a timely opportunity to apply for a Federal Transit Administration 5311 competitive grant (application due in about a month) and described a proposal that would replace fixed-route local service with a tech-enabled microtransit model—an on-demand, shared-ride system with a call center so riders without smartphones can still request service. Morris said fall survey results (303 respondents) showed 93% of takers consider transit important for Page.
Armando Bernescone, chief executive of Quality Connections, described the organization’s experience managing rural services and said Quality Connections would manage long-distance routes and support local microtransit operations. The proposal the presenters outlined included a roughly $1 million program budget, a $631,000 5311 grant request, and an initial city ask of $325,000 (presenters characterized $75,000 of that as a onetime contractor setup expense, with $250,000 estimated as an ongoing annual city contribution thereafter).
Presenters proposed a baseline local fleet of roughly three vehicles (and about 8,000 budgeted service hours annually) and described roles for a Page transit ambassador to promote and operate the system locally. Ginger Burgess, named as transit manager candidate, described Quality Connections’ experience with contracted rural services and emphasized outreach and customer access.
Council members asked about staffing, fleet condition, service hours, and long-term costs; presenters said vendor partners would supply new local vehicles and the contractors could hire existing drivers where appropriate. Councilor Roundtree moved—seconded by Councilor Hettinger—to direct city staff to work with the presenters and return a final proposal for council consideration; the motion carried.
The council did not award funds that night. Staff said the packet will include a proposed agreement, legal review and a recommended funding approach before any final appropriation is made.
