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Bladensburg council debates taking over Port Towns senior bus to cut costs
Summary
Council members questioned a roughly $60,000 annual cost and whether Colmar Manor should continue administering the Port Towns bus. Town administrator Brian Wood said town ownership could eliminate the 10% administrative fee, but would require the town to absorb payroll, insurance and maintenance responsibilities; the council asked staff to draft a transition process.
Bladensburg council members signaled broad agreement to reevaluate the Port Towns senior transportation program after staff described rising costs and a concentration of ridership in Bladensburg.
Town administrator Brian Wood said the bus—originally a Port Towns joint asset—is now used predominantly by Bladensburg residents (he estimated about 95% of ridership) and that the town currently pays a per‑rider amount and an administrative fee to Colmar Manor, which handles scheduling and employs the two part‑time drivers.
Council member Blunt said she was "shocked" to learn the town paid roughly $60,000 a year and repeatedly questioned what that sum covered. Wood explained the per‑ride charge covers a major portion of driver pay, maintenance and insurance, with Colmar Manor retaining the collected rider fees as part of its administrative role; Colmar Manor currently handles insurance and payroll for the drivers.
Council discussed options: the town could assume full ownership and payroll responsibilities (eliminating the contracted administrative fee but adding direct personnel and maintenance costs), pursue a phased exit, contract local private transportation companies for scheduled senior trips to reduce vehicle maintenance burdens, or make greater use of county services that are free to seniors.
Wood also outlined a MEA grant the town received that would cover up to 75% of the incremental cost of an electric vehicle; council members noted available EV bus models may require CDL‑licensed drivers and the town's existing drivers lack CDL certification. Wood estimated the present vehicle has 12–18 months of useful life remaining.
Council direction: members asked staff to draft a formal transition plan with Colmar Manor for council review; any transfer or financial commitment would require formal action by all participating councils. The council did not take a final vote at the work session.
