Rochester City Council Approves Nearly $78 Million Contract for Public New Transit Operator

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Public Transit will have a new operating company later this year. 

Rochester City Council Approves Contract With Via Transit to Operate RPT, Link BRT

The Rochester City Council voted unanimously Monday night to enter a 64-month contract with an estimated value of nearly $78 million to Via Transit. 

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Via Transit "operates fully integrated systems in more than 175 cities and transit agencies around the world,” according to the city council resolution.  

The city’s deal with its current transit operator, TransDev, expires at the end of the year. 

Read More: Rochester Plans Transit Change With New $78 Million Contract 

A presentation shown to council members indicated the city solicited bids from five transit operators. Via Transit and two other operators were interviewed by staff from the city and Mayo Clinic. 

New Contract to Begin September 1

The tentative contract is scheduled to take effect on September 1. A statement issued earlier this month by the city indicates the overlap of the two operator contracts will allow for a smooth transition to the new provider. 

See Also: Rochester City Council Approves Negotiations for Stadium Development at Silver Lake Power Plant

The contract with Via Transit covers operating the city's regular bus system, its paratransit service, as well as the implementation and ongoing operation of the new LINK Bus Rapid Transit system. 

The implementation of the new transit system includes hiring and training personnel, along with testing before the LINK Bus Rapid Transit system begins carrying passengers next year along the dedicated route currently under construction in downtown Rochester.