Public Transit Operation Services

Location: California
Posted: Dec 7, 2025
Due: Mar 26, 2026
Agency: City of Thousand Oaks
Type of Government: State & Local
Category:
  • R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
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Project ID:

Title: Public Transit Operation Services

Addenda: 0

Release Date: 12/5/2025

Due Date: 3/26/2026

Post Information
Posted At:Fri, Dec 5, 2025 8:00 AMSealed Bid Process:Yes (Bids Sealed / Pricing Sealed)Private Bid:No
Overview
Summary

Operate fixed route bus, seasonal bus, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit, and Senior Dial-A-Ride (DAR) services commencing on July 1, 2027, for the City of Thousand Oaks (City) and agencies under contract with the City for public transit services. In addition, operate any future additional public transit services such as but not limited to; micro-transit, general purpose Dial-A-Ride, or shuttle services that the City or agency under contract with the City may be entered into during the contract period.

This RFP/Q is being issued in advance of typical schedule to allow the selected Proposer sufficient time (approximately 12 months) to secure appropriate operations facilities, maintenance facilities, and to acquire all vehicles required under this RFP/Q.  Vehicle requirements are imperative, and the selected Proposer will be expected to have all RFP/Q required vehicles available for operation no later than July 1, 2027, or be subject to financial penalties and/or liquidated damages.

Background

The City of Thousand Oaks is in eastern Ventura County and consists of 56 square miles. The City's population is approximately 125,000. The City is a general law city operating under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of five elected members through district-based elections, with one member serving as Mayor on an annual basis.

The City of Thousand Oaks is the public agency responsible for public transit services in Thousand Oaks as well as transit services for other municipal and governmental agencies provided under contract. The Program is managed by the City's Public Works Department and supervised by the Deputy Public Works Director and/or Transit Program Administrator with day-to-day oversight by the Assistant Transit Planner (Program Manager). The current total transit service area is approximately 167 square miles, serving a population of almost 430,000. The contract for public transit operations services issued through this RFP/Q shall be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

For FY 2024/2025 (ending June 30, 2025), City was billed for approximately 48,985 hours of total revenue service by the incumbent Contractor. Total payments to the incumbent Contractor for all services, support, and vehicle leases for the same period was approximately $5,163,000.

Billing for transit services covers the following service types and agencies. Except for Thousand Oaks fixed route services which is adding one additional (sixth) route in FY 2025/26, services and billing for contract service start date (July 1, 2027) are expected to be consistent with FY 2024/25 billing.

This RFP/Q is for the following agencies and services:

Note: For Cities of Moorpark, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills, and County of Ventura, while Senior DAR and ADA vehicles are a shared resource, Proposer will be required to provide reporting that breaks down individual agency use of the shared resource.

Transit Services Operated by Thousand Oaks Transit

Local - Dial-A-Ride

ECTA - Dial-A-Ride

Service Area

Fixed Route

Senior (65+)

ADA

Senior (65+)

ADA

Thousand Oaks

6 + 1 Seasonal

X

X

X

X

Moorpark

2

X

X

X

X

County of Ventura

1

X

X

X

X

Agoura Hills*

X (age 50)

Disabled

Westlake Village*

X

Disabled

X

X

Simi Valley

X

X

* These agencies are in Los Angeles County and ADA services are provided by LA Access

The City’s Transit Program is administered by Public Works staff and is supported by staff with experience in transit operations, planning, and finance.

The size of the program belies a complex operation that is difficult to execute to meet the high operational standards expected and requires operators with a skilled and knowledgeable management team and workforce and a commitment to service excellence as well as a highly adaptable mindset.

Whenever possible, City endeavors to be cooperative and supportive of other regional and local transit operators and the selected Proposer will be expected to embrace this philosophy of cooperation and support in providing service to City under this RFP/Q. City also participates in regional mutual aid programs.

Annual CPI Adjustment

An annual CPI adjustment for all revenue hour rates in contract years two through four shall apply, at a fixed three percent annually, effective July 1. There will be no CPI adjustments for vehicle leases which shall be a fixed monthly payment for the duration of the vehicle's in-service period. CPI adjustment rates for two-year extensions shall be negotiated prior to contract extension.

Proposal Pricing

Proposers should consider the totality of the services requested when considering costs but propose based on the unique service costs for each individual service. Therefore, each service and vehicle lease type shall be quoted individually and should reflect that services’ or vehicle's unique cost considerations such as project specific overhead, deadhead, staff resources required, expected annual mileage, etc., and should also include a proportional share, based on anticipated billing hours, of general overhead expenses.

Proposals that propose a uniform rate for all services or vehicle leasing costs will be rejected as non-responsive.

Timeline
Release Project Date:
December 5, 2025
Pre-Proposal Meeting (Mandatory):
January 15, 2026, 10:00am
Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (Note: specific meeting location will be provided later)
Question Submission Deadline:
March 5, 2026, 4:00pm
Proposal Submission Deadline:
March 26, 2026, 4:00pm
Begin Work:
July 1, 2027 (Note: Contract will be awarded in mid-2026 to allow sufficient time for vehicle and site acquisition)
Complete Work:
June 30, 2031
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