Martin County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to let the county administrator negotiate a new contract with MTM Transit, a company that previously ran the county’s public bus system. The move could bring back MARTY bus service, which stopped abruptly last Thursday.
Martin County Transit LLC, the company that operated MARTY, cited rising operating costs, including fuel and maintenance, in deciding to end service. Several drivers, including former driver Bill Lawrence, lost their jobs with little warning.
Public Works Director Jim Gorton told commissioners that county officials spent several days looking at options. He said the county reviewed several proposals before choosing MTM Transit as its preferred vendor.
Under the county’s emergency procurement rules, the proposed deal would be a one-year contract costing about $3 million. During that year, the county plans to pursue a standard multi-year contract through its normal competitive bidding process.
Gorton said the county wants to rehire the same drivers. Commissioners also authorized the county to terminate its contract with Martin County Transit LLC.
County officials hope to finalize the agreement with MTM Transit by the end of this week, which could allow buses to run again next week.
