Operations
RTC Transit is the largest outsourced transit operation in the United States. As of 2011, the contract is worth approximately $600 million over seven years. The fixed route system has been operated by Veolia Transport and its predecessor, ATC-Vancom, since inception. Bus operators, mechanics, and most other contractor employees are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637. Paratransit and dial-a-ride services are operated by First Transit.
The fixed route contract is scheduled to expire September 25, 2011, and was proposed to be awarded to First Transit, the apparent low bidder and highest scorer on the comprehensive review, however, Veolia has complained to the RTC board of bidding irregularities in the First Transit bid as well as an unfair emphasis on price in comparison to other technical factors. The RTC board approved the First Transit bid on a 4-3 vote, but after the Nevada Attorney General reprimanded the RTC for approving the contract without a majority of the eight members on the RTC board (as opposed to merely those present), the RTC board has deadlocked on the contract, and has given Veolia a six month extension while the board finds a means to obtain a majority to make a decision. First Transit subsequently sued the RTC to force them to make a decision.
In November 2011 First Transit and the RTC settled their lawsuit. First Transit will continue to operate the paratransit system and Veolia will continue to operate the fixed route bus system until the end of 2012. The new fixed route transit contract will be split into two, to allow smaller vendors to bid. The two contract system is similar to that of Foothill Transit in the Los Angeles area, which is the second largest outsourced fixed route public transit system in the United States.
Read more about this topic: RTC Transit
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