Transit Design Study
Mason City
Mason City, IA
A complete version of this RFP can be downloaded from the City's website:
https://masoncityia.municipalone.com/bids.aspx?categoryid=9294&id=17899&catid=480
Mason City Transit (MCT) is a small-urban transit system providing service on five fixed routes. Service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (exclusive of holidays). Most routes run on 30-minute headways, except the West Central Route, which runs for one hour. Two buses run ½ hour apart on this route. Buses run on a hub-andspoke system with looped routes. For further information on Mason City Transit, visit the City’s website: https://www.masoncity.net.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the existing transit system and recommend changes that will grow ridership and meet the community's needs. This will include an analysis of existing routes, ridership preferences, and barriers to increasing ridership and service delivery.
Mason City Transit has kept operating through the COVID-19 pandemic, with service interrupted on only one of the fixed routes. Mason City strongly supports its small transit system, and has ensured the transit dependent population’s access to the system during the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted the need for local transit; this study reflects the City’s commitment to public transit and a desire to provide the best, most efficient transit service possible.
The Mason City Transit fixed-route system utilizes 176-inch wheelbase buses, usually with 20 seats, and equipped with wheelchair lifts. MCT has been aggressive in utilizing local, State and Federal funds to procure newer and well-maintained rolling stock. The City contracts with the Region 2 Transit System for paratransit and after-hours services. The City also partners with Region 2 for vehicle maintenance, repair, and storage.
Non-subsidized rides cost $0.50 each way; transfers are free. Mason City Transit’s fares are the lowest of any fixed-route system in Iowa; an evaluation of fares and their impact on ridership and revenue is an expected element of this study.
The City will form a Transit Study Committee, comprised of City staff, elected and appointed officials, representatives of organizations serving transit-dependent persons, and transit users. This Committee will guide the process and work directly with the Consultant to develop a Design Study that meets both current and future needs. City staff will serve as liaison between the Consultant, the Transit Study Committee, and the City Council. The public participation element of the study will be facilitated by the City, including venues, means of participation (virtually and in person), and publicity. The City will also provide all relevant information on existing Transit operations as well as City maps, expected development, and infrastructure. City volunteers will be available to assist with data collection.
The City will receive $90,000 through CARES Act funding to complete this project. The successful proposal will provide a fee schedule that does not exceed this budget amount, including the costs of reimbursable and project expenses.
A virtual pre-bid conference will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. CDT. Interested firms should send an email to Dylan Schulte (email address below) no less than two (2) hours prior to the conference to obtain virtual login information.
Submittals are due by 4:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Project Manager:
Dylan Schulte, Transit Operations and Safety Manager
Development Services Department
(641) 421-3380