After a decision was delayed for a couple of months to rebid the contract for a 6 monts microtransit pilot program, the Park City council Thursday is scheduled to approve a $680-thousand contract with its original vendor choice.
Last May, Park city issued a request for businesses to submit a quote for an On-Demand, app based, electric/hybrid vehicle microtransit service. But when local for-hire companies found out what was happening – they asked for a second chance to make their own proposals. At least two of the five bids were from local companies – Ride America and Mountain Transportation Network. Both were finalists. The city staff however is recommending that the council approve the $680-thousand, 6 months contract to a Florida company, Downtowner.
Although the second bid wasn’t any less than the first, Downtowner which had originally proposed using Teslas, is now proposing to drive the Chevrolet Bolt, a smaller, front wheel drive vehicle but still fully electric with fast charging capability.
The city staff report says Downtowner was the only bidder that has a depth of operation experience with an app based microtransit system.
Staffers say a pilot period will allow the city to look to reducing vehicle traffic in the greater Park City area, alleviate parking demand constraints in Park City, particularly around Main Street and hopefully eliminate or reduce barriers to transit access by providing a first mile, last mile transit service.
The city council will consider the issues during its regular meeting that starts at 6 o’clock in the council chambers of the Marsac Building.