The two companies that run Westchester”™s Bee-Line Bus system will re-up for another five years, after they were the only two businesses to seek contracts in a competitive bidding process.
Yonkers-based Liberty Lines, which runs 56 of the county”™s bus routes, sought earlier this year to extend its current contract beyond its Dec. 31 expiration. But the company hit a snag when the Federal Transit Administration said Westchester had to open a competitive bidding process or potentially lose $13 million in federal aid for the county”™s bus system.
The county was slow to comply when Liberty claimed that under the terms of its old deal that it was entitled to millions of dollars in compensation if the county contract was awarded to another company. Westchester finally complied this summer, attaching a bond to protect itself in the event that the contract was awarded to another company and Liberty looked to collect.
It was the first time in history Westchester bid for the contract, with Liberty having run the majority of Westchester”™s bus routes since the 1970s. The only bidders were Liberty and Cortlandt”™s PTLA, which runs three bus routes around Peekskill.
Both contracts will last five years, with an option to add an additional five years. Liberty would be paid $113.65 million in 2014, according to a statement from Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, which is $3.37 million less than 2013. PTLA”™s 2014 payment of $2.37 million would be equal to what it paid in 2013.
“This outcome protects our taxpayers and Bee-Line bus riders,” Astorino said. “Our bus system serves about 115,000 weekday riders, and this ensures that service remains dependable at the best possible price for both riders and taxpayers.”
Westchester sets fares, owns the buses, equipment and locations used for its 59 routes, but hires outside companies to manage and staff the Bee-Line. The contract was submitted to the Westchester County Board of Legislators for approval Thursday.
