Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Extension of Existing Contract for Transit Services with Denton County Transportation Authority until December 31, 2021
Summary
MEETING DATE: May 5, 2021
DEPARTMENT: Housing & Community Development
CONTACT: Akia Pichon, Transit Administrator
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) are working with McKinney Urban Transit District (MUTD) to create a jointly provided transit program that will expand and automate transit services in the MUTD service area. Creating a regional model that can scale requires time to allow for all necessary considerations in an FTA-compliant procurement process. Agency staff are requesting an extension of existing contract to provide enough time to complete procurement evaluations and legal review. This extension also allows additional time for vendor set up and launch. Extension of existing contract also gives staff the ability to roll out marketing for the new program prior to program launch and connect (via in-person and virtual outreach) to communities who are new to app-technology. Staff recommends extending the existing contract for transit services with Denton County Transportation Authority until December 31, 2021, with the understanding that the new jointly provided service will begin January 1, 2022.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• DCTA is the current provider of transit services for the MUTD. The existing contract for transit services was extended to June 30, 2021 at the MUTD Board meeting on October 21, 2020. DCTA and DART have provided a joint letter to the Board that the agencies are moving forward with the procurement timeline as established here and services will begin January 1, 2022.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• DCTA will continue to render services at the same rates in the existing contract. There is no increase of service cost due to the extension of this contract.