McMaster University invites qualified bidders to submit responses for the supply and operation of shuttle buses in accordance with the terms of this Request for Proposals. Shuttle buses are to transport members of the university who park in the west parking lots up to the shuttle bus stop at the perimeter of the main campus using a fixed schedule. McMaster University has a busy growing campus with multiple parking lots servicing faculty, staff, and students. This shuttle service shall include return transportation from the University’s West Campus Parking lots; currently there are six (6) designated stops – 4 on east campus and 2 on west campus, Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm. Bus drivers are not permitted to make additional stops to accommodate patron requests. The Bidder understands and agrees that, in respect of Service Designators “A” and any future adjusted schedules headways of 10 to 20 minutes are required listed in Section 14: Bus Schedules.
The Successful Bidder will be responsible for providing new 2-door buses and 1 short 24 passenger bus consuming gasoline or diesel. The 2 buses must be side-facing seating with front and back doors for the ease of entrance and exiting of McMaster staff/students, and with hanging straps for maximum standing capacity, similar to city buses. McMaster will not consider the traditional front-facing school bus style. The Successful Bidder will be required to purchase two new buses for McMaster use only. Used buses will be evaluated for suitability; services records will be required as part of the evaluation process. Buses will be required to be wrapped with McMaster logo at the McMaster University expense. The Successful Bidder will need to provide special event busing for events on campus including; May@mac, Fall Preview, etc. The Successful Bidder shall not be responsible for the provision or cost of fuel (gasoline, diesel, or alternate fuel option). The University agrees that it will provide fuel for all buses at its own cost.