City buying buses

The City of Lewiston may soon be operating its own fleet of buses.

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Story Published: Jul 22, 2008 at 10:42 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:33 PM PDT

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - Lewiston city officials are moving forward with plans for a city-owned transit system.

In its work session yesterday, the Lewiston City Council approved the use of $20,000 to help purchase two Dial-A-Ride buses, using a matching $85,000 grant from the federal government.

City officials said Tuesday the first step in getting the system under city management is by expanding the fleet.

"The idea here is that the city would own the fleet, maintain the fleet, include fueling, insurance, all of those kinds of costs for the vehicles themselves, and then one proposal that we put forward was that the city hire staff to operate the system," said Steve Watson, Acting Community Development Director.

The city already pays for costs associated with maintenance of vehicles, and city manager Jay Krauss said that by owning and managing the transit system, the city will be in a better position to control costs.

"This is actually a benefit to everyone because the system will get new equipment, since the city is already paying for the fuel the maintenance, and the upkeep, the insurance on the vehicles,” said Watson. “Bring it into the city system where we're already paying these costs, and we get a better rate for example on insurance and some of those other items.”

Valley Transit's contract with the city is up the last day of September, at which time the city could assume control of its own system. Officials say they are pursuing options for a smooth transition.

Steve Watson said the city has asked Valley Transit for more information, and that is due to them by Monday.

Valley Transit Executive Director Tom LaPointe declined to comment on the situation Tuesday, but said Valley Transit is currently trying to do the right thing, and that's maintaining a good service for their clients and staff.

Watson said a transfer of ownership won't change that.

"We've got a lot of people in this community here in the Valley, and they rely on it. And that's something that people are taking very seriously. So, the idea is not to get it so expensive that people can't afford it. It provides a very good and very important service."

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