MTM Transit has been chosen by two agencies to operate its systems.
Valley Metro
The agency has been chosen by the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (Valley Metro) to operate its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service. The contract also includes supplemental demand response transportation services for non-ADA eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The partnership, which spans a three-year contract with three one-year options, aims to enhance accessible transportation options and improve the lives of passengers in Arizona’s greater Phoenix and Maricopa County areas.
RPTA provides public transit services to the Phoenix community, including ADA paratransit service, which provides accessible transportation to individuals who are unable to safely access fixed route transit options. The services provided by Valley Metro benefit not only the residents of the greater Phoenix area, but also the 18 surrounding public agencies that rely on RPTA for transportation services.
“We are excited to support Valley Metro in achieving their mission of connecting communities and enhancing lives,” said Brian Balogh, MTM Transit’s COO. “Our extensive experience in serving transit-dependent populations aligns perfectly with Valley Metro’s goals. We are committed to delivering reliable, safe and high-quality transportation services to RPTA’s ridership.”
MTM Transit will take on various responsibilities on behalf of Valley Metro, including providing door-to-door and feeder transportation services, conducting staff training, maintaining vehicles, conducting on-street supervision and service monitoring, collecting fares and providing daily service reports. MTM Transit will establish a main facility in Gilbert, as well as a secondary facility in Peoria, strategically located to best serve the entire service area. The agency will employ a local team of more than 250, including management staff, dispatchers, vehicle operators, road supervisors, vehicle technicians and administrative teammates.
“Over the past five years, we have established a successful partnership with Valley Metro, building an understanding of the community, its services and its passengers,” Balogh said. “Our track record with Valley Metro positions us perfectly to help RPTA achieve its goals. Our ongoing partnership will further enhance accessibility options and positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and seniors in the Phoenix area.”
City of Manteca
The agency has also been awarded a contract with the city of Manteca, Calif., to operate its comprehensive Manteca Transit system. The contract, which goes live on July 1, includes a three-year term with two additional one-year options.
Under the contract, MTM Transit will provide a wide range of transportation options to local residents on behalf of the city, including fixed route, dial-a-ride and ADA paratransit. MTM Transit will also manage supplementary services for the city, such as ADA eligibility determinations, travel training, and application processing for dial-a-ride service. The city of Manteca’s goals of improving vehicle maintenance, increasing ridership, enhancing data and reporting, improving customer service and implementing route changes identified in its 2019 Short Range Transit Plan were key factors in selecting MTM Transit as the new contractor.
“We are honored to have been chosen by the city of Manteca to operate its transit services,” said Scott Transue, MTM Transit’s regional vice president. “With our experience and knowledge gained through serving the local community as the provider of travel training and assessment services for the San Joaquin Regional Transportation District, we are well-positioned to provide a high level of customer support and seamless experience for passengers. Our local team of dedicated employees is excited to deliver reliable, safe and high-quality transportation services to Manteca residents and visitors.”
In addition to serving as the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) for San Joaquin County, MTM Transit also has other operations in the Central Valley area of California in nearby Tracy and Escalon.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the city and its passengers to develop a well-rounded, excellent transit program that we can all be proud of,” Balogh said.
MTM Transit’s local team in Manteca will consist of approximately 20 employees, including management staff, vehicle operators, maintenance and utility workers, dispatchers and a road supervisor. Operations will be based out of the existing Manteca Transit Center, allowing for a seamless transition and minimal disruption to service.
Brandon Lewis | Associate Editor
Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros.com in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor.
