McDonald Transit Associates has announced it has been awarded the contract to manage Tyler Transit, the transit services for the city of Tyler, Texas. The City Council selected RATP Dev through a national competitive process that awarded the contract based on best value procurement. Contract services began earlier in May, and will cover an initial period of five years with five additional one-year renewal options. RATP Dev has appointed Vera Matthews, former general manager of the Hernando County, Florida, Transit System, to serve as Tyler Transit’s new general manager.
Under the terms of the contract, RATP Dev will directly supervise Tyler Transit’s daily operations for their Fixed Route and Paratransit systems. RATP Dev will also assist the city with the hiring of new staff and fleet maintenance, as well as oversee training, scheduling, employee relations, and grant management, including assisting with the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) regular reviews.
“The city of Tyler is excited to be working with McDonald Transit and RATP Dev,” said Russ Jackson, director of Solid Waste, Transit and Vehicle Services for the city of Tyler. “McDonald has a long history of successfully building and managing mass transit systems, and is certainly the authority when it comes to public transit in Texas. We chose McDonald and RATP Dev because we believe they will help us continue to build Tyler Transit, and are looking forward to improved public transportation for our community.”
Tyler is RATP Dev’s second contract in Eastern Texas, and its seventh in the entire state, which includes transit systems in Arlington, Austin, Fort Worth, Longview, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, and Waco.
“Texas is home for McDonald Transit, and we are delighted to bring our world renowned expertise to the citizens of Tyler,” said Blaine Rigler, president of McDonald Transit and VP of RATP Dev Bus Division. “Based on our vast experience operating Fixed and Paratransit route systems in cities across Texas, we’re confident we’ll be able to improve services and be responsive to the community of Tyler.”
