The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) awarded a contract to MV Transportation Inc. to operate the agency’s paratransit services, beginning April 11.

Under terms of the five-year contract, MV will provide safe and reliable paratransit services within the METROLift system, the city’s curb-to-curb, shared-ride service for people with disabilities and those who cannot board or ride other types of METRO transit services. MV will be responsible for the minivan component of the METROLift service, including operations, maintenance, and customer service.

As part of MV’s start-up efforts, the company is rolling out a broad hiring program that includes recruiting drivers from the incumbent provider in addition to its rigorous safety and training programs.

MV’s new contract with METRO expands its Texas-based passenger operations to include Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Justin, and San Antonio.