Texoma Area Paratransit Services (TAPS) will continue its partnership with Transdev for another five years.
Transdev’s relationship with the Sherman, Texas, transit provider began in 2016 when the TAPS Board of Directors entered a public private operating partnership (PPOP) with the company. The express goal of the PPOP was to restore public transportation service to the rural, disabled citizens of this six-county area, made up of Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, Clay, Montague and Wise Counties.
From the beginning, both parties worked diligently to restore funding relationships with various entities and to right size the service to current budgetary levels.
“We created a stronger operation, with a deliberate focus on maintenance and safety – something that obviously helped operations – but, also contributed to creating a more positive, safety-centric culture,” said Josh Walker, Transdev’s current TAPS general manager. “It’s been an honor to work with such a dedicated board to positively impact the daily of lives of our riders and communities.”
Walker has been with the contract since 2016 and will be assuming another role within the Transdev organization in March. He will continue to support TAPS and its success during his transition.
“We appreciate Josh Walker’s leadership throughout this transition and wish him well at his new operation,” said Grayson County Judge Bill Magers and TAPS Board chairman. “The first five years of this public private operating partnership has seen incredible progress. The service has provided safe and efficient transportation solutions to thousands of riders and it continues to show a steady pace of growth. We couldn’t be more grateful to Transdev.”
Cooke County Commissioner Leon Klement and TAPS Board vice chair added, “We look forward to continuing our great partnership with Transdev.”
“We anticipate more great things from our strong relationship with TAPS,” said Ibrahima Toure, Transdev’s southwest regional vice president. “We are excited about the future and how we can continue to support our passengers by providing them with safe and reliable mobility solutions that connect them to their community.”
