City transit department's duties under the bus contract

(a) Under the transit management services contract, the department shall have the following general obligations and responsibilities: (1) Be responsible for paying the necessary and legitimate management, operation, and maintenance expenses of the city bus system and special transit service; (2) Establish the routes, schedules, and levels of service for the city bus system as required under § 15B-6.1 ; (3) Establish the policies and guidelines for the operation of the special transit service as required under § 15B-4.1 ; (4) Ensure compliance with arrangements required by the federal Secretary of Labor pursuant to § 13(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act, as amended, to protect the interests of bus personnel and, if applicable, special transit service personnel; (5) Furnish to the contractor the use of the properties and facilities required to operate the city bus system and special transit service, which shall include the following: (A) Maintenance facilities and shop equipment; (B) City transit buses and support vehicles; (C) Special transit service vehicles; (D) Offices, office equipment, furniture, and fixtures; and (E) Data processing equipment; and (6) Have the right to perform financial and management audits of the city bus system, special transit service, and transit management services contractor. (b) The department may assume, under the transit management services contract, other obligations and responsibilities that are not contrary to this chapter. Under no circumstances, however, shall the department assume any obligation or responsibility that may jeopardize the private employment status of bus or special transit service personnel and their coverage under the National Labor Relations Board.