CapMetro contracts Big Star Transit for demand-response overflow service to cover paratransit peaks

CapMetro’s board unanimously approved a resolution to contract Big Star Transit LLC for demand-response overflow services to support peak paratransit demand.

Mister Slaughter presented the procurement, saying the agency has seen ridership growth on Access and pickup services and needs a complementary overflow model to meet morning and afternoon peaks without purchasing additional vehicles. He said the initial service targets are approximately 96% of ridership remaining with MTM and about 4% handled by the overflow service; staff emphasized the contract is intended to be complementary to existing MTM service.

The proposed contract has a base three-year term with two optional years for $11,906,074 plus a 10% contingency for a not-to-exceed amount of $13,000,096. Staff stated this represents existing riders and not new funding; the procurement aims to improve on-time performance, trip acceptance, and reduce missed trips at peak times.

The board moved, seconded, and approved the contract by voice vote. Staff said the contract will require vendors to meet insurance, drug-and-alcohol, training, vehicle inspection, camera, and service-level standards similar to existing paratransit contracts.