Princeton Extends Public Transit Service Contact With WeDriveU

PRINCETON, NJ — Council on Monday adopted a resolution extending the c[current public transit contract with WeDriveU.

The original agreement between the Municipality and WeDriveU, Inc. was for a one year term from January 2, 2021 to January 2, 2023, with the provision to extend it for up to two one-year periods.

Princeton received two bids for the operation and maintenance of the Princeton Transit Service. One was from Stouts II and the other from WeDriveU.

According to officials, the bid submitted by Stouts II did not include the Updated Bid Price Sheet and was hence rejected.

San Francisco-based WeDriveU, Inc. submitted a bid of $377,164.

The current contract with WeDriveU expires soon and the extension is to ensure uninterrupted services to Princetonians.

Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros told the community that the Municipality will have electric buses by mid-next year and has even hired Nelson-Nygaard to conduct a study to improve and enhance the local transit system.

Pirone Lambros said that the contract was flexible "if things change down the road.”

Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell told Council WeDriveU was willing to work with the Municipality to make changes as needed.

“WeDriveU, Inc. has agreed to this extension with an increase in the cost of 1.5%. This increase does not exceed the change in index rate allowed by State statute and equates to a not to exceed amount of $311,167.39, to be billed in 12 monthly increments of $25,930.62,” Purcell said in his memo to Council. “Funds are available to pay for these services.”

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