Title
Transit Management Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve a three-year agreement with RATP DEV USA (formally McDonald Transit Associates, Inc.) to provide transit management services for the Bus Operations Division, at a total cost of $2,015,510, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contract renewals up to the amount of $730,000 per year, for up to two additional years.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
John Lewis, CATS
Tangee Mobley, CATS
Explanation
§ North Carolina law (NC General Statute §95-98) prohibits municipalities from collective bargaining activities such as those with labor unions. However, a federal law (referred to as “13c”) preserves the collective bargaining rights of certain unions which existed prior to the enactment of the state law.
§ The labor unions for the CATS bus drivers and mechanics were protected by this federal law, but the City is prohibited from negotiating with these unions by state law.
§ CATS, therefore, must use an independent contractor to manage the bus operations division and to conduct negotiations with the labor unions for bus drivers and mechanics.
§ On July 30, 2018, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); two responses were received.
§ RATP DEV USA best meets the City’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ RATP DEV USA, also the current service provider, has proposed an experienced local transit management team for Charlotte to oversee the Transit Bus Operations Division, and the firm will also provide corporate resources for labor negotiations, service optimization, policies and procedures, and system performance audits as requested and/or needed.
Charlotte Business Inclusion
No subcontracting goals were established because there are no subcontracting opportunities Part C: Section 2.1 (a) of the Charlotte Business Inclusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: CATS Operating Budget