FILLMORE : Council Backs Bus Contract Renewal

The Fillmore City Council on Tuesday recommended renewal of a $213,000 contract with a longtime city bus company whose proposal was higher than that of another bidder.

Fillmore Area Transit Co., which has provided public transportation in the city since 1973, was chosen by the council over two other companies because of FATCO’s familiarity with community needs and because the company hires locally, officials said.

Final approval of the contract will be made by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors because the county funds 57% of the service.

The county solicited bids from other companies to give council members a way to compare the cost of FATCO’s services, City Manager Roy Payne said.

FATCO’s bid, which was $15,000 more than that of Antelope Valley Bus Line, reflects the company’s intent to outfit its seven buses with wheelchair lifts, said FATCO founder Chapman Morris.

The city will use $91,500 of its share of state gasoline tax revenues, along with county funds, to pay for the bus service.

FATCO tailors routes to riders’ needs and often is residents’ only connection with other cities, Morris said.

Monthly passes between Fillmore and Ventura cost $30. A single ride costs $1.50.