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City approves transit change order to add driver shields and rear-door alarms; upgrades covered by federal grant
Summary
Michigan City approved a change order—covered by a federal grant—to add driver containment shields and rear-door ajar alarms to new buses, totaling a not-to-exceed amount of $190,305.27 and about $1,500 per unit for the listed upgrades.
The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a change order July 20 to add driver containment shields and rear-door ajar alarms to newly purchased transit buses, increasing the total purchase by up to $190,305.27. Transit Director Robin Tillman told the board the safety items were identified during a recent manufacturer visit and are budgeted within the grant.
"Last month, we visited Total Top Manufacturing ... and we observed at that time that we were lacking in the driver's safety shield and a backdoor emergency alarm," Tillman said, adding the roughly $1,500 per-unit upgrades are covered by the federal grant backing the purchase.
Board members asked about ridership and future service expansion; members of the public urged the city to continue planning route expansion and a transit app. Tillman said the transit team is working with RTAP and Google Maps to add route shapes and tracking and that the transit project is federally funded, noting ridership gains since implementing free fares.
The board approved the change order by voice vote. Tillman noted the expected delivery date for the new units is Aug. 6 and that staff will proceed with the purchase changes under the grant-specified budget.
Why it matters: the upgrades are framed as safety improvements for operators and riders and are financed through the grant that funded the vehicles, minimizing local budget impact. The board’s approval lets staff proceed with outfitting the new fleet before delivery.
