Seback for Crosstown 62

Bids rejected as contract nears end; no stoppage seen.

By: David Campbell
   The Princeton Township Committee voted Monday night to reject two Trenton firms’ bids to run senior-transportation service Crosstown 62 after the current contract ends next month.
   Now Princeton officials have less than a month to go out to bid again with revised specifications and select and approve the firm that will take over after Princeton AAA Taxi Service’s contract expires June 1.
   But despite the short turnaround period, officials said they believe the service is not at risk of being discontinued.
   "I don’t think it’s going to present a problem," said Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer. "I don’t think anybody anticipates discontinuation of services on June 1."
   Princeton Human Services Department Director Cynthia Mendez said, "We hope it won’t threaten the program beyond June 1. We’re working feverishly to see that it doesn’t."
   Two Trenton-based transportation companies bid for the Crosstown 62 program last week. Stout’s Charter Service of Trenton was the lowest bidder with a $28,595 offer for the seven-month contract. The other bidder was Star Transportation Corp. of Trenton, with a $60,583.80 bid.
   The Princeton Human Services Commission recommended that the Township Committee reject the bids, and called for a clarification of specifications for items such as service fees and vehicle types when Princeton opens the bidding again, Mr. Schmierer said.
   Low-bidder Stout’s reportedly was to provide only one vehicle, a small coupe, when at least a four-door sedan is needed to meet seniors’ needs. When the program was first started, the municipalities found that service suffered when only a single vehicle was used.
   Joseph O’Neill, Princeton Borough Council liaison to the Human Services Commission, said officials hope more companies will submit bids the second time with the removal of a specification that he said has hindered bidding, that of requiring an up-front performance bond from companies.
   Mr. O’Neill said he believes the first-round bid rejections won’t result in a break in services by Crosstown 62, noting that its budget for the year has already been approved by the township and Princeton Borough.
   In the event a firm is not in place to take over June 1, vouchers may be used or the current contract temporarily extended until one is found, officials said.
   The revised bid specifications were expected to be posted by today. The Township Committee is expected to vote on a recommendation at its May 19 meeting, officials said.
   Crosstown 62 is a subsidized transportation service that provides rides to doctors’ offices and local shopping centers for senior citizens and the disabled in Princeton. While hugely successful, it has had problems.
   Due to its popularity, officials have struggled to provide the financing necessary to meet the high demand. The service has a $37,000 budget, with extra money possibly coming from leftover funds from the underutilized Summer Youth Employment program.
   Daniel Palumbo, co-owner of Princeton AAA Taxi Service, who is currently providing the Crosstown 62 service, is dropping out of the program because of an unrelated dispute over taxi and livery licenses with the Princeton Borough Council.
   Despite entreaties from the Human Services Department and Human Services Commission and an apology from a Borough Council member, Mr. Palumbo decided not to continue his participation with Crosstown 62, officials said.
   Human Services Commission Chairwoman Marjorie Smith said officials hope the Princeton Taxi Association and Mr. Palumbo will consider submitting a bid.
   On Monday night, the Township Committee voted to reject the bids as part of its consent agenda for routine items, which are approved by a single vote. The Human Services Department serves both Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, but the township administers the department.