Approve Termination of Agreement with First Transit, Inc. for Ramsey Star Express

As Council is aware, the City currently has an agreement for bus service with First Transit, Inc.  Due to the fact that the City will soon be served by the Northstar  Rail Service, staff is requesting authorization to notify First Transit that the City of Ramsey will be terminating its agreement for the Ramsey Star Express bus service. 

Staff has drafted a letter of termination, which is attached for Council review.  The letter advises First Transit that effective December 1, 2012, the City does hereby terminate the agreement and that a 48-hour notice will be provided to First Transit with regard to the date of the final bus service.  Based upon a recent rail station construction update, staff is now comfortable with a termination date of November 16, 2012, and the letter will be revised accordingly.  The letter assures First Transit that the termination of service is not made as a result of any violation of the terms of the Agreement, but rather that the City will be served by the Northstar Rail.  The station opening is now scheduled for November 14, and the City will cease bus service on the day the rail service goes into operation.

Staff is recommending termination of the agreement with First Transit for the Ramsey Star Express bus service.

Motion to authorize staff to terminate the agreement with First Transit, Inc. for the Ramsey Star Express Bus Service, effective November 16, 2012.