Advocates question Detroit paratransit contracts

• But contracts under the new plan still feature the company.

The latest: Detroit transit executive director Mikel Oglesby summarized DDOT's strategy for City Council members yesterday.

• The two proposed five-year contracts with Transdev and subcontractors ($49.2 million) and People's Express ($15.9 million) require Council approval.
• Oglesby said Transdev and People's Express were the only two companies that "made it through" Detroit's request for contract proposals.

What they're saying: The new plan is "not good enough," Stephen Handschu, a committee head for NFB Detroit, tells Axios.

• "We still don't know what the hell this is, really. Whether (the city is) taking over totally, fully, all-controlling," Clay told Axios after yesterday's meeting.
• For example, it appears Transdev would still handle employee training, which advocates say has been inadequate in the past.

Between the lines: DDOT says it's delivering on its promise to fix performance concerns by bringing management — including customer service, ride scheduling, eligibility and contractor oversight — in-house.

• "I can assure you … what the people wanted is going to happen," Oglesby said. "The word 'Transdev' is concerning to a lot of people, but the function is different."

What's next: City Council plans to discuss the contracts in committee Monday.