Frisco City Council agreed Nov. 17 to let the city's contract with the Texoma Area Paratransit System expire Nov. 30. The city plans to have a new transit service provider in place by Dec. 1 to avoid any service interruptions.

To approve a new transit provider, Council may hold a special meeting to vote on a new contract.

Frisco Engineering Services Director Paul Knippel said city staff has been in discussions with several service providers to pick up on-demand transit services once the TAPS contract ends.

"The actual mechanics and logistics involved are already in motion," Knippel said. "After this conversation, we'll be full steam ahead [to find a new provider]."

TAPS’ contract with Frisco provides curb-to-curb demand-response transportation for residents who are at least 60 years old or disabled.

The TAPS board voted Nov. 13 to cut its fixed route services in McKinney. The board also voted for a significant reduction of service allowing for emergency medical on-demand rides only across its entire service area.

The cuts follow last week’s announcement that the state pulled TAPS’ Medicaid contract because of an ongoing criminal investigation into the agency—namely its former executive director Brad Underwood, said Chris Hill, Collin County commissioner and TAPS board chairman.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments also announced last week that it would slow reimbursements because of the investigation.

TAPS requested emergency funding from the Texas Department of Transportation in October but was denied the funding Oct. 30.