Aug. 7, 2006

For more information, contact:           
          Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

MRPC ISSUES REQUEST

FOR PROPOSED FORT LEONARD WOOD TRANSIT SERVICES

            ST. JAMES—Meramec Regional Planning Commission, on Aug. 1, issued a request for proposals to develop a transit service to serve employees at Fort Leonard Wood. A recent feasibility study, conducted by MRPC in partnership with Missouri Transportation Institute , Fort Leonard Wood, and UMR indicated sufficient interest to support service between Rolla and Fort Leonard Wood and Lebanon and Fort Leonard Wood.

            The MRPC board, meeting in regular session on June 8, approved a request to seek proposals from existing service providers, as the study indicated that was the most cost-effective way of delivering the services.

            MRPC staff worked with the staff of the Missouri Transportation Institute to develop the request. Deadline for proposals is noon on Aug. 23.

            As planned, MRPC would oversee the operation of the program and work with one or more existing providers, selected through the RFP process, to offer transit services from Rolla to Fort Leonard Wood and back and from Lebanon to Fort Leonard Wood and back. As anticipated, the service would offer three pick-up and three drop-off times, both in Rolla and in Lebanon. The specifications also call for guaranteed rides home, should an employee become ill or have a family emergency.

            Once proposals are received, MRPC staff will evaluate proposals to see if it is feasible to run a self-sustaining service; if it is, they will make a recommendation on a contractor to the MRPC board for final consideration.

            RFP specifications are available by calling MRPC at 573-265-2993 or on-line at www.meramecregion.org.

            MRPC is still studying reverse commute options as well as the use of alternative fuel vehicles in a transit program. The feasibility study is being funded through a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. MRPC is partnering with MTI and Fort Leonard Wood on the project.

"We appreciate the level of interest and support exhibited by our peartners and are optimisitc about the possibilities identified in this analysis," said Richard Cavender, MRPC's executive director.

            Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

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