Transit agency services will be overseen by Transdev from now on.
In a significant move, Transdev, a leading transportation company, has secured new contracts to manage public transportation services in various regions across the United States. The latest agreement includes a three-year term with two optional one-year extensions.
As of July 1, 2025, Transdev has officially taken over the operation of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's (VTA) ACCESS Paratransit service. This service provides approximately 2,000 trips per day using a fleet of vehicles like cutaways, minivans, sedans, and taxis, with accessible vehicles available.
Transdev has also been awarded new operating contracts for managing Monterey-Salinas Transit's (MST) fixed route and paratransit services. The specific start date for these operations is yet to be detailed. Similarly, Transdev has secured a contract to manage the town of Winter Park's transit system, although the exact commencement date is not provided in the recent updates.
The town of Winter Park's transit system, known as The Lift, features 11 fixed routes and offers both fixed route and paratransit services. The town is currently developing a five-year transit plan, which includes the exploration of microtransit options to improve connectivity and flexibility in the years ahead. During peak tourism weeks in December, January, and March, services on The Lift ramp up significantly.
In addition to these services, Transdev operates in numerous modes across the U.S., including bus, rail, paratransit, non-emergency medical transport, autonomous vehicles, shuttles, and fleet maintenance services. They serve over 400 cities and communities, providing approximately 200 million annual passenger trips.
In the town of Winter Park, Transdev is supporting the transition to electric buses by helping with infrastructure upgrades such as a charging station and operator training tailored for mountain terrain and cold-weather operations. They are also partnering with a subcontractor for longer-distance trips, freeing up MST vehicles for shorter, higher-frequency routes with greater ridership.
Transdev is also managing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Eligibility Certification process for Santa Clara VTA. In Monterey County, they are partnering with Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) to operate and maintain a portion of MST's fixed route and all paratransit services across the county. Transdev will implement advanced technology and software tools to optimize scheduling, dispatching, and routing for MST's paratransit riders.
The town of Winter Park, with approximately 1,200 full-time residents, sees a significant increase in population during ski season, with more than 15,000 people per day. In 2024, The Lift provided over 500,000 rides, exceeding the town's original ridership goals. The service specifically serves the town limits of Winter Park, Fraser, and unincorporated areas of Grand County. It connects residents, employees, and visitors across Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, Tabernash, unincorporated areas of Grand County, and Winter Park Resort.
Transdev North America is set to oversee transit operations in Monterey County starting in July 2025. MST's system spans a 163-square-mile service area and operates a fleet of 131 vehicles. These new contracts mark a significant expansion for Transdev in the U.S. market.
- Transdev, in addition to bus and rail services, also manages microtransit options, as seen in their collaboration with the town of Winter Park in developing a five-year transit plan.
- The management of public transportation services by Transdev extends to financing aspects, as they are partnering with a subcontractor for longer-distance trips in the town of Winter Park, freeing up MST vehicles for shorter routes with higher ridership.
- In the U.S. industry, Transdev's influence expands beyond the operations of traditional infrastructure like rail and bus systems, as they also oversee paratransit services and manage fleet maintenance services in various regions.
- Transdev's commitment to advancing technology is demonstrated in their implementation of advanced technology and software tools to optimize scheduling, dispatching, and routing for paratransit riders, as seen in their partnership with Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST).
