Today, Capital Metro staff met with the agency Board of Directors to make recommendations on new contractor bids. Monday, the board will make a final decision.
These are the last few steps towards a new labor structure for Capital Metro. The changes are required to comply with a new state law that requires transit employees to either become employees of the state or to become employees of a private contractor. The union that represents most of the employees chose the latter option so they could retain collective bargaining rights.
The board will need to choose one contractor for employees of fixed-route bus services and another for employees of paratransit services (door-to-door services for people with disabilities). The board could also choose to have one contractor employ workers of both services.
Today, Capital Metro staff recommended that McDonald Transit Associates perform fixed-route bus service and MV Transportation perform paratransit services.
Capital Metro says staff evaluated contractor proposals based on companies' "managerial expertise and staffing plan; their maintenance expertise and plan of action for maintaining Capital Metro’s fleet, equipment and buildings; their focus on quality service and safety; training programs; the proposed mobilization plan for the contract; their past experience; and, price."
The Capital Metro Board of Directors is meeting Monday to make a final decision. The labor change will go into effect August 19.
