RATP Dev USA Selected to Operate and Maintain Columbia, South Carolina’s ‘The COMET’ Fixed Route, Flex Route, and Paratransit Transit Services
Fort Worth, TX (June 30, 2020) – Today, RATP Dev USA, a national leader in public transit, announces it has been awarded the contract to operate and maintain the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority’s (‘The COMET’) Fixed Route, Flex Route, and Paratransit Services. The COMET governing members include Richland County, the City of Columbia, the City of Forest Acres, and Lexington County. As such, The COMET provides local transit service within Richland and Lexington Counties as a regional transportation authority under South Carolina Code of Laws, Chapter 25. RATP Dev USA was awarded this contract for the term of five (5) years with a three (3) year option and an additional two (2) year option totaling ten years. With contract services set to begin July 1, 2020, RATP Dev USA and The COMET have started transition, with newly appointed General Manager, Corey Gagnon, and his local leadership team.
“We are looking forward to this next step with RATP Dev to continue to make mobility accessible and convenient for everyone in the Midlands,” said John Andoh, executive director/CEO of The COMET. “RATP Dev brings a unique history of designing, managing, operating, maintaining, and modernizing all forms of public transport, and we are looking forward to seeing how we can continue to grow The COMET across the region.” Read more from The COMET’s press release on Mass Transit.
RATP Dev USA will provide a turnkey service, directly operating and maintaining The COMET’s approximately 175,000 vehicle hours on the fixed route system, 15,000 revenue hours on the flex route system, and 35,000 revenue hours on the flex route and paratransit system. Transit service is provided throughout Richland and Lexington Counties on 35 fixed routes, five (5) rural flex routes, and ADA complementary paratransit services. Transit services are provided throughout 1,225 square miles within Richland and Lexington Counties currently.
“RATP Dev USA is thrilled to have been awarded the transit contract with The COMET,” said Arnaud Legrand, CEO of RATP Dev USA. “We have been closely monitoring this innovative and forward-thinking transit system for quite some time. Now, we are eager to partner with The COMET to provide Richland County, Lexington County, and the greater Columbia, SC regions the best transit system possible.”