To approve the purchase of Alternative Transit Services for an initial term of six (6) months with three (3) one-year automatic renewals in an initial term expenditure of $3,952,247 and an annual estimated amount of $8,000,000 for subsequent renewals from Via Transportation, Inc. through an existing contract; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. (791 Cooperative Contract No. 791202505008)

On May 2, 2026, Plano voters will choose if they want to leave DART. If the voters elect to leave DART, a transit system that adapts to the community’s changing needs will need to be fully operational the next day, as DART would end all services in the City.  The Alternative Transit contract addresses the transportation needs of city residents and those commuting to and from the City.

To help choose an alternative transit partner, the Collin County Connects Committee (C4) was created by City Council in December 2025. C4 learned about available transportation options and potential vendors, including Via, Spare, and RideCo. Members evaluated factors like accessibility, safety, cost, wait times, connectivity, and more.

C4 ranked the alternative transit partners in the following order:

1. Spare
2. Via
3. RideCo

After the recommendations were presented before Council, staff met with the transit vendors. Following the in-depth presentations to staff, Spare withdrew their offer.

Staff carefully considered the options and recommend Via as the alternative transit partner. Staff believe Via offers the greatest continuity of service, scalability, safety, experience, and flexibility to meet the needs of Plano residents as an alternative transportation option.

• Continuity of Service: Can provide city-wide microtransit with connections to key transit hubs, ADA – paratransit within a 1.5 mile radius of city limits, access to fleet for supporting riders with disabilities.
• Scalability: Usage of data-driven performance management can sale up or down service based on demand.
• Safety: Inward and outward facing dashcams in every fleet vehicle, ADA-compliance training for fleet drivers, comprehensive vehicle operation training with refreshers every 6 months for drivers.
• Experience: Expert transit operator experience, not just software development, proven track record for regionally-integrated transit systems across multiple cities and transit agencies
• Flexibility: Can leverage 3rd-party fleets, increase or decrease service to and from certain areas based on data of ridership and city needs.

If Council chooses not to approve an alternative transit option and Plano residents vote to leave DART in May, DART will cease all transportation within the City and Plano public transportation riders will not have any alternative transportation option to utilize. Approval of this contract will help with a seamless transition and continuity of service for residents who utilize paratransit and public transportation options in Plano.

The City is authorized to purchase from a cooperative purchasing program with another local government or a local cooperative organization pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter F of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items. (791 Cooperative Contract No. 791202505008 and City of Plano Contract No. 2026-0141-OA).

Funding is available in the FY 2025-26 General Fund budget for the approval of an alternative transit contract that addresses the transportation needs of City residents and those commuting to and from the City. The contract has an initial six (6) month term in the not to exceed amount of $3,952,247. The contract also allows up to three (3) additional one (1) year optional renewals at an estimated amount of $8,000,000 per renewal year. All future year expenditures will occur within council approved appropriations.  

This item aligns with the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of being an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government with Multi-Modal Transportation and Mobility Solutions.