Transit agency may use taxis on S. Shore
By Kathryn Reed
It’s possible that by late spring a taxi could be picking people up instead of an on-demand BlueGo bus.
The Tahoe Transportation District board of directors will discuss altering the service at its Friday meeting.
“We are looking essentially at an additional provider for demand response services,” Curtis Garner, TTD transit manager, told Lake Tahoe News. “We would be looking for private taxi companies using their own vehicles.”
The on-demand drivers make about 1,200 trips a month. To use the service a rider must prequalify. Seniors and those with physical limitations are whom the service is designed for. People who would temporarily need a ride, for instance someone with a broken leg, may apply for service. Each ride costs $3.
While ridership is steady, there are stretches when need is limited. It is during these times that TTD is looking to use the taxi service.
The taxi service would likely cover the entire South Shore.
If the board approves the taxi idea, a request for proposal will likely be sent out Feb. 18 to attract bids. Garner said it is possible TTD could save $14,000 a year.
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Notes:
• The TTD board meets Feb. 14 at 9:30 am at Sierra Nevada College, 291 Country Club Drive, Room 141, Incline Village.
Why not get an RFP for the whole service from private providers? The private taxies provide 24/7 service now. They could save even more.
With what the TTD spends yet actually recovers at the farebox, it would likely be more cost efficient for taxpayers to simply gift private vehicles to every transit rider.
How many tens of thousands of dollars will it cost to write the RFP, release the RFP, review the proposals, reach agreement as to which proposer a contract should be awarded, write the contract, negotiate the contract and manage the contract?
$14,000 is nothing to save against what it will cost.
Lou. The way I read the article, it sounds like the taxi cabs would be contracted or on call from existing taxi service. Right? What you are saying to to contract out the on demand BlueGo entirely?
K, in talking with a blue go driver, if they sit for more than thirty minutes, they are off the clock. they don’t get paid. so the article is misleading. no calls, no pay
Whatever the decide on .. It should include service to Meyers !
The story has been changed to reflect the following information from Curtis Garner at TTD: “This initiative will improve efficiency and won’t require that drivers wait around for their next pickup. I never meant to imply that the drivers were on the clock the entire time.”
LTN staff