Oak Ridge Council approves ETHRA transit contract after heated debate over bag limits and rider input

Oak Ridge City Council approved a resolution authorizing a contract with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate the city's public transit and paratransit service in an amount not to exceed $230,000, contingent on grant funding. City staff said the contract extends daytime hours from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. to 7 a.m.–6 p.m., adds quarterly performance-review meetings, and proposes a one-year trial period for waiving passenger fares while the city analyzes operating impacts.

City staff summarized ridership growth to council: "In FY '23, ridership was just over 6,000 trips. In FY '24, it was just over 7,500 trips. In FY '25, we're at 9,800 trips," staff said during the presentation, arguing that expanded hours respond to more riders and shifts in work schedules. Staff also described a new online customer-feedback form and a mobile app feature that allows riders to see buses in route.

Public commenters and several council members pressed the city and ETHRA on operational details. Rider advocate Marion Wildgrouber called the proposed bag limit "absurd and insulting," saying it would disproportionately harm seniors and people with disabilities. Robert Walker told council he was skeptical the fare waiver was an unalloyed benefit, arguing it could increase ETHRA's invoice burden on the city: "Even though riders might not be charged a fare directly...the city of Oak Ridge would be invoiced for 2 trips for 5 bags," Walker said.

Council debated two amendments before the final vote. Councilman Dodson moved to amend the contract to permit five carry-on grocery bags instead of four; the amendment failed (recorded in roll as 3 ayes, 4 nays). Councilmember Hensley then moved to add a contract provision guaranteeing citizen participation at the annual performance review; that amendment also failed (recorded as 2 yeses, 5 nays). After those defeats, council voted to approve the contract as presented.

Staff emphasized that the approved contract is a one-year agreement with nine renewal options and that annual renewals would allow council review of performance metrics, rider feedback and any trial policy outcomes. Council members and speakers repeatedly urged staff to ensure that quarterly reviews and the annual renewal process incorporate meaningful rider input even if that specific language is not placed inside the contract document.