Winston Salem Times

The Winston-Salem City Council last night voted to approve a contract with RATP Dev USA to begin operating the Winston-Salem Transit Authority’s bus system. The $150 million contract with RAPT Dev would begin Aug. 1 and run for five years, with an additional two-year option for a total contract value of about $219 million.

RATP Dev is based in Fort Worth, Texas and manages or operates bus systems in 16 states and the District of Columbia. In North Carolina, the company operates bus systems in Asheville and Buncombe County; Durham, Greensboro and Raleigh and Wake County.

"TransDev Services has been managing WSTA since 2010, but chose not to submit a bid," said Kelly Garvin, assistant director of transportation for the city of Winston-Salem. "Under the current contract, TransDev provides a general manager who oversees the operation of the transit agency and provides administrative guidance on transit-related issues. The city is financially responsible for all operational expenses, including contracts, insurance, claims, payroll, fuel and facilities," Garvin said.

"The new contract with RATP Dev represents a change in the management model," Garvin said. "RATP Dev will take over many of the functions currently handled by the city. The company will operate the fixed-route bus lines as well as TransAid."

"RATP Dev’s experience in managing such transitions in other North Carolina cities was a major factor in the city’s decision," said Jeffrey Fansler, the city’s transportation director. "The city expects to improve the safety and efficiency of its transportation network and rider experience, and to bring back full night service—but bus riders should not notice immediate changes since buses will be running the same routes."

For more information about the changes, go to: www.CityOfWS.org/871.