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Committee approves four paratransit buses and a 51‑day extension for transit operations
Summary
The Finance Committee approved buying four ADA‑accessible paratransit buses (mostly grant‑funded) and authorized a 51‑day extension with the city's transit operator to avoid a service gap while a new procurement is completed.
The Nashua Finance Committee on June 17 approved two transit actions: the purchase of four ADA‑accessible low‑floor buses for the Nashua Transit System and a short extension of the city’s contract with the existing operations contractor to ensure continuity of service.
Community Development Director Matt Sullivan told the committee the total purchase price for four Dodge Ram ProMaster ADA buses is not to exceed $1,008,628, of which about $857,334 is covered by federal grants and roughly $75,000 by city capital reserves — approximately 7.5 percent of the total. Sullivan said cooperative purchasing pricing was used and that the city evaluated electric and CNG options but found them infeasible for this vehicle size due to federal Buy America, equipment loading needs and operational constraints for paratransit service. "Electric vehicles are simply not an option at this time for these buses," he said.
To avoid an operational gap while staff completes a new procurement, the committee also approved Amendment #6: a 51‑day extension with Transdev/1st Transit for an amount not to exceed $550,000. Sullivan described the extension as a negotiated, short bridge while soliciting a longer‑term contract; committee members questioned whether 51 days would be sufficient. Both items passed on roll call.
Next steps: staff will finalize the bus purchase and proceed with delivery and fleet disposition under federal requirements; the extension funds will keep operations running until a new long‑term contract can be presented for approval.
