Detroit Evening Report: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan secures emergency contracts to continue paratransit services
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Detroit Mayor Duggan has approved emergency contracts with four paratransit providers to ensure operations continue after Detroit City Council rejected a $49 million contract with Transdev, despite initially approving the deal.
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The action announced Thursday is needed to make sure 1,000 disabled riders who rely on DDOT every day can get around town. Duggan says DDOT will use its own staff to book reservations beginning next year.
“That gives us time to put a permanent plan in place,” Duggan told the Detroit Free Press. “Anyone that was concerned before, this issue has been resolved.”
The four vendors are Moe Transportation, Big Star Transit LLC, Delray United Action and Checker Cab Company.
French company Transdev has provided rides for the city’s disabled community for several years. Last month, Detroit City Council reversed their decision to approve a $49 million contract to continue that relationship for another five years.
The city says the Federal Transit Authority sent letters indicating that failure to provide the paratransit service would lead to serious federal consequences.
The emergency contracts are valid for six months and do not require City Council approval.
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