Oak Ridge council authorizes manager to negotiate transit contract, agrees to review final terms after public comments

Oak Ridge City Council on May 15 authorized the city manager to negotiate terms for a one-year contract (with multiple renewal options) with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate Oak Ridge Transit and agreed that the manager must report back to council with the final contract for approval.

The action followed more than an hour of staff presentation, council discussion and public comment focused on transit reliability, ADA access and oversight. City staff told council the RFP process produced two viable proposals and recommended ETHRA; the anticipated TDOT grant would fund roughly $213,125 (an estimated 80% match), with the city covering the local share largely from restricted state petroleum tax funds. Staff said the recommended contract would be for one year with nine renewal options and would authorize the manager to negotiate final details and incorporate public feedback before execution.

Council members pressed staff on oversight, rider-facing improvements and specific contract terms. Multiple council members urged quarterly performance meetings, clearer rider-feedback mechanisms, incentives tied to on-time performance, and software improvements to allow riders and staff to track vehicles and trip data. One council member requested the resolution be amended so the manager brings the finalized contract back to council for ratification; members also agreed to permit a short extension of the current contract (up to 90 days) if needed to avoid service disruption while negotiations conclude.

Public commenters — many identifying as regular riders or disability advocates — urged stronger city oversight and clearer accountability. Marion Wildgrouper called for a city staff person to manage the transit program and handle rider complaints, saying “Transportation is absolutely fundamental to people with disabilities, people who are low income and seniors.” Margaret Jones and other riders described trips missed, inconsistent pickups, poor communication from dispatch and difficulties securing rides without family support. Robert Walker, a resident, recommended performance-based incentives tied to software data and routine monitoring.

Staff clarified that the RFP incorporated public input gathered by an ad hoc transportation study group and the disability advisory board; examples included provisions for quarterly performance meetings, improved rider feedback pathways, and potential software upgrades to support on-demand service and better trip tracking. ETHRA’s response did not include every requested feature (staff said ETHRA did not initially include Sunday service and some on-demand elements), so the manager’s negotiations are expected to cover those items.

The council also debated whether to reserve final contract approval for council or to allow the manager authority to execute. The council ultimately amended the resolution so the manager may negotiate and incorporate public input but must bring the final contract back to council for approval; the council simultaneously authorized up to a 90-day extension of the existing contract if needed to maintain service continuity.

The amended resolution passed by voice vote. Next steps: staff said the manager’s office will negotiate with ETHRA, circulate a memorandum summarizing incorporated public feedback and planned contract terms to council before any final action, and — if required — extend the current contract to avoid a July 1 gap in service.