Transit Service Operations

R P
EQUEST FOR ROPOSALS
RFP0153-042126
T S O
RANSIT ERVICE PERATIONS
M 2026
ARCH
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 1 of 52

Executive Summary and Overview
Nashua Transit System (NTS) is soliciting responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP)
from qualified transportation providers interested in providing Fixed Route Service
and Paratransit Service, at the highest level of customer supported mobility in the
Region.
More information about our service and routes can be found at
www.ridebigblue.com.
The City of Nashua conducts its procurements in a manner that promotes full and
open competition. This RFP is issued to ensure a fair, transparent, and equitable
process, and all qualified respondents will be given equal consideration in
accordance with the established evaluation criteria.
RFP Instructions & Timeline
The City is now accepting Proposals electronically via Bonfire. Please review the
Bonfire Vendor Registration and Bonfire Vendor Submission tutorial documents in
the Appendix for more information. We strongly recommend that you give yourself
sufficient time and at least one (1) business day before due date to begin the
uploading process and finalize your submission. Copies are also available on the
City's website in the Purchasing section within the Bids section.
Responses shall be submitted in accordance with the schedule below., c/o
Purchasing Office, City Hall, Room 11, 229 Main Street, Nashua NH, 03061-2019.
Responses shall be submitted in the format provided and address the items
specified in the Request for Proposal. Postmarks or other timestamps will not be
accepted in lieu of actual delivery. The City has the right to waive any informalities
in the submittal procedure. The City of Nashua may reject any or all of the Proposals
on any basis and without disclosure of a reason.
Complete specifications and related documentation are available on the website,
www.nashuanh.gov, under Services, Bid Opportunities, Current Bids; and on the
Bonfire website. Refer to Document RFP0153-042126 and related documents.
Please note paper copies will not be available. No RFP documents are available at
the Central Purchasing Office.
Milestone Date/Time Location
Issued Request for February https://www.nashuanh.gov/Bids.aspx
Proposal 18th, 2026
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 3 of 52

Tuesday, Via Zoom
Optional Pre-Proposal April 7,
Conference 2026 at
10:00 am
Thursday,
Deadline for Proposer
April 9,
Questions -
2026, at
10:00 am
Tuesday,
Answers / Clarification April 14,
-
Posted 2026 at
3:00 pm
Tuesday, City Hall
April 21, Purchasing Department, Room 11
RFP Response Deadline
2026 at 229 Main Street
3:00 pm Nashua, NH 03060
Proposer Short List TBD -
Review
RFP Questions
Proposer Questions shall be submitted in writing, citing the RFP title, RFP number,
Page, Section, and received in accordance with the schedule above. Proposers are
encouraged to submit written questions via email; however, the City assumes no
liability for assuring accurate and complete email transmission/receipt and is not
responsible to acknowledge receipt. Questions submitted by email are to be sent
to:
Amy Girard
Purchasing Manager
City of Nashua
229 Main Street
Nashua, NH 03060
Email: purchasing@nashuanh.gov
Phone: (603) 589-3330
The City will consider all timely-received questions and, if reasonable and
appropriate, will issue an addendum to clarify or modify this RFP. Answers to
submitted questions and other addenda will be posted under document RFP0153-
042126 on the City of Nashua website; www.nashuanh.gov, under Services, Bid
Opportunities in alignment with the schedule above.
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 4 of 52

The Proposer shall fill out and submit as part of its Proposal an Acknowledgment of
all Addenda to the RFP. Addenda to the RFP will be posted periodically to the City
of Nashua web page under "Bid Opportunities".
The City is exempt from all taxes. All Proposals shall be delivered to the City of
Nashua, NH at your own costs. All Proposers shall comply with all applicable Equal
Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.
Pursuant to NRO 5-78 (F), the Purchasing Manager shall not solicit a Proposal from
a Proposer who is in default on the payment of taxes, licenses, or other monies due
the City. Therefore, this RFP is void as to anyone who is in default on said payments.
Pre-Proposal Conference
A Pre-Proposal Conference will be offered in alignment with the schedule above via
Zoom only. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the City's proposal
objectives and relevant information concerning the site and context for
development and to answer questions about the RFP. Attendance by a
representative of each Proposer is optional.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6035893330?pwd=YjZ5ZUtSMURySmdBRms1bXBLQ1
NUdz09&omn=84229036978
Meeting ID: 603 589 3330
Passcode: 5893333
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,6035893330#,,,,*5893333# US
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 5 of 52

System Overview
Nashua Transit System is operating with a fleet of 22 vehicles, which are owned by
the City. Service may increase or decrease over the contract period. Average
monthly call volume in 2025 was 290.
Fixed Route - MB
FY27 FY28 FY29 FY30 FY31
Estimated Estimate Estimated Estimate Estimate
d d d
Revenue Hours 30,842 31,090 30,771 30,807 30,807
Deadhead 924 929 926 925 925
Hours
Revenue Miles 432,899 436,360 431,937 432,418 432,418
Deadhead 11,174 11,240 11,185 11,179 11,179
Miles
Ridership 376,920 391,395 387,270 387,749 387,749
# of Weekdays 256 259 254 255 255
# of Saturdays 51 50 53 52 52
*Total Billing 32,490 32,701 32,490 32,490 32,490
Hours
*Billing hours do not include
Pre/Post Trip
Paratransit - DR
FY27 FY28 FY29 FY30 FY31
Estimated Estimate Estimated Estimate Estimate
d d d
Revenue Hours 9,005 9,100 8,950 8,977 8,977
Deadhead 954 964 948 951 951
Hours
Revenue Miles 118,367 119,671 117,567 117,967 117,967
Deadhead 12,773 12,913 12,688 12,731 12,731
Miles
Ridership 14,242 14,828 14,575 14,622 14,622
# of Weekdays 256 259 254 255 255
# of Saturdays 51 50 53 52 52
*Total Billing 10,257 10,324 10,257 10,257 10,257
Hours
*Billing hours do not include
Pre/Post Trip
All Miles and Hours are based on the averages of FY 2025 data
Ridership is based on FY 2025 / adding 3% for years 2028 and on
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 6 of 52

Weekdays and Saturdays do have the holidays removed from
each year
*Billing hours are based on the average of FY
2025
Fixed Route Bus Services
Citybus Weekday Service
* Eight buses operate Monday through Friday from 6:00AM to 6:30PM
o Six buses cover one-hour routes: Amherst Street, South End/Pheasant
Lane Mall and Nashua Mall/West Hollis Street, Nashua North HS
o Two buses cover half-hour routes: Crown Hill, Northeastern Blvd,
French Hill and Main Dunstable Road
* Five buses "pulse" on the half hour and 5 buses that "pulse" on the hour at
the Nashua Transit Center to allow transfers between routes.
Citybus Weekday Evening Service
* Two buses operate Monday through Friday from 6:45PM to 10:45PM
* These routes run every hour at 45 minutes past the hour.
CityBus Saturday Service
* Eight buses operate from 9:00AM to 5:50PM
* One bus to cover lunch breaks
* There is only one van available to run on Saturday to cover Paratransit Transit
Service
* Two evening buses operate from 5:45PM to 10:45PM
ADA Paratransit/Senior Services - Regional Door to Door
* Ramp-equipped vans provide mandatory ADA service to those who are
unable to access the city bus at a bus stop due to a physical or mental
impairment.
* Riders must fill out an application for ADA or Senior Service in order to ride
this service
* Service is by reservation, and is origin to destination
* ADA Service is provided at all times that Citybus operates
* 60-80 trips are provided per day
* Service is also provided to senior citizens on a space available basis
* The list of towns in the Nashua Transit Service Area include: Amherst,
Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Merrimack, Milford, Mt. Vernon, Nashua and
Wilton, NH
Fleet and Facilities
* (4) - 2017 Gillig 30' Heavy duty CNG low-floor buses
Capacity - 26 seated and 29 standees
* (1) - 2019 Gillig 30' Heavy duty CNG low-floor buses
Capacity - 26 seated and 29 standees
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 7 of 52

* (4) - 2017 Gillig 35' Heavy duty CNG low-floor buses
Capacity - 31 seated and 24 standees
* (1) - 2014 CNG Bus - 30' CNG low-floor bus
Capacity 31 seated and 15 standees
* (2) - 2019 Gillig 35' Heavy duty Hybrid Electric low-floor bus
Capacity - 31 Seated and 23 Standees
* (3) - 2009 Chevy Arboc Vans
Capacity 14 seated with 2 wheelchair stations
* (5) -2018 Champion Vans
Capacity - 16 seated with 2 wheelchair stations
* (2) - 2020/21 Dodge Promaster
* (425) Bus Stops
* (13) Bus Shelters
* Transit Center (30 Elm Street)
* Transit Fleet Facility (11 Riverside Drive)
* Transit Administrative Building (11 Riverside Drive)
* Road supervision SUV
* Service Truck (not utilized by contractor)
* Nissan Leaf Electric Car
*Please note that the Transit Garage and Transit Center (route hub) are located
approximately 2.5 miles (one way) from each other
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 8 of 52

Scope of Services Requested
The Contractor shall be responsible for operation of public transportation services
pursuant to the terms, conditions and requirements stated herein, and in any
contract entered into by and between the successful proposer and the City. The
Contractor shall ensure at all times that vehicles used for passenger conveyance
shall be operated with due regard for the safety, comfort, and convenience of the
general public. The Contractor shall be responsible for staffing the Transit Center
with an employee, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (with an hour
lunch break). The Contractor shall be responsible for complying with all applicable
federal, state and local laws and requirements.
Contractors are asked to provide proposals for five (5) years of service from FY2027
(7/1/2026) - FY2031.
The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable
ADA requirements. The Contractor shall also be responsible for complying with all
rules and regulations mandated by the State of New Hampshire and by the FTA
(reference APPENDIX D FTA CLAUSES)
The following responsibilities are a guideline and the City may change them over
the course of the contract.
City of Nashua Responsibilities and Provisions:
System Planning
o Safety & Security (NTD and PTASP)
o Transit Asset Management (TAM)
o Route Planning
Drug and Alcohol
Drug & Alcohol for City Employees ONLY
Drug & Alcohol Oversight of Contractor
Maintenance
o Fueling Vehicles
o Vehicle Maintenance
o Facility Maintenance
o Groundskeeping
o Building Cleaning
o Trash Collection in Facilities (not in fleet vehicles)
o Snow Removal
Reporting
o Reporting to FTA, NTD, and State of New Hampshire
o Fixed Asset Reporting
o Printing of DVIR's
Administration and Operations
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 9 of 52

o Oversight of Transportation Service Contract
On time Performance
Federal regulations for 5307 and 5310 programs
o Purchasing of Rolling Stock
o Billing
Review contractor billing hours
Pay gate to gate hours for service rendered
City provided 5310 billing for contractor
o Inventory
o Auto Insurance
o General Liability Insurance
o Code of Conduct
o ADA Requirements & Certifications
o Building Office Space and Utilities
Ticket Sales, Customer Service and Marketing
o Ticket Ordering
o General Marketing
o Ride Guides
o Route Mapping
o Paratransit Customer Applications processing and entering
Technology
o Paratransit Service
o Real time Bus / Fixed Route Software
o GPS in each Vehicle
o Tablet in each Vehicle
o Basic Computer Equipment and Software
o Camera System for the Admin, Maintenance and Transit Center
Contractor Required Responsibilities:
Dispatch
Excellent Customer Service
o Answer the phone
o Provide assistance to customers
o Enter all reservations into the paratransit software
o Instruct and guide Operators regarding any Safety/Security issues that
may arise on a daily basis.
Monitor and address Operator schedule adherence and
provide immediate solutions to keep the Operator "On Time".
o Provide daily updates to City Staff
Final paratransit scheduling for next day.
Service Implementation and Rollout
Adequate staffing for service hours and requirements
Assistance and Successful Implementation of New Services
City of Nashua | Transit Service Operations | March 2026 | Page 10 of 52