STATEMENT OF ISSUE
StarMetro requests the authority to purchase fourteen (14) vans and related equipment to be funded from the 2009 Section 5307 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant allocation. The fourteen vans to be replaced are four (4) 2000 Champion Supreme vans with mileages ranging from 132,109 to 154,797 and ten (10) 2002 Champion Challenger vans with mileage that ranging from 165,566 to 182,776. These vans are replacements for vehicles that have surpassed their maximum life and mileage based on FTA criteria. The useful life of a van is four (4) years 100,000 miles as stated in FTA Report VA-26-7229-07. If approved, this purchase would be made from State Contract FVPP-08-SC-TP. The price quotation for the fourteen (14) replacement vans is $74,943 each, totaling $1,049,202

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Option 1. Approve purchasing fourteen (14) Dial-A-Ride vans and related equipment to replace vans that have reached their maximum service life.

FISCAL IMPACT
Approval to execute the grant funds will provide StarMetro with Federal Funding in the amount of $1,049,202 with no impact on the current fiscal budget. This item has been reviewed by the Office of Budget and Policy and is in compliance with City guidelines.

Ronald L. Garrison, Director, StarMetro

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Ralph Wilder, Superintendent of Maintenance, ext. 5217.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
The City of Tallahassee has operated the complementary paratransit service for the disabled and senior citizens, called Dial-A-Ride since the 1980’s. This is a demand response service that provides curb-to-curb transportation in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service is available within the City Limits or ¾ of a mile on either side of the bus route where the bus route goes outside the City Limit boundary.

Funding for the purchase of capital items is provided by the FTA formula grants amount to be assigned. The fourteen (14) Dial-A-Ride vans have exceeded their maximum life. Through available federal grants, StarMetro is requesting authority to replace fourteen (14) of these vans in order to provide more reliable, efficient and effective service, while maintaining a lower maintenance and operation cost than can be attained with older, less reliable equipment.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
This is not applicable as this request is funded by federal funds.

OPTIONS

1. Approve purchasing fourteen (14) Dial-A-Ride vans and related equipment to replace vans that have reached their maximum service life.

Pros: Approval of this issue will provide the elderly and handicapped public with safe, reliable, comfortable transportation with new vehicles. Maintenance costs for the new vans will be less.

Cons: These monies could be used for other capital transit programs.

2. Do not approve this item and provide alternative direction to staff.

Pros: These federal dollars would be used for other capital transit programs.

Cons: Failure to approve this item will require using the current fleet with the potential for increased breakdowns and increased maintenance costs.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES
None