Request For Proposals: Expansion of Ohio’s GoBus Intercity Bus Service

Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), project administrator for GoBus, is seeking competitive proposals for an operating service provider for the service expansion of the GoBus: Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program.

Starting operation in November 2010, GoBus uses Section 5311(f) funds to address the need for transportation in rural communities in Ohio. The project provides meaningful connections to the nation’s intercity bus network.

Currently, HAPCAP contracts with a service provider to operate the intercity fixed route general public transit system between Athens and Columbus, OH; Athens and Cincinnati, OH; Athens and Marietta, OH; Athens and Cleveland, OH; Columbus, Wooster and Akron, OH; and Columbus and Van Wert, OH. The service is currently funded primarily through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) intercity transit program (Section 5311(f)) and in-kind match from Greyhound Lines.

In 2026, HAPCAP will continue to support the current rural intercity bus routes listed above, as well as up to four new rural intercity fixed routes between Toledo and Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Airport in KY); Toledo and Columbus, OH; Toledo and Ashtabula, OH; and Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. HAPCAP expects to select one or more Service Providers during the review process of this RFP. The two (2)-part RFP Application Packet can be found below.

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO HAPCAP IS FRIDAY AUGUST 1ST, 2025, AT 3PM EST.

To submit an RFP proposal, vendors must follow this process:

• Vendors interested in submitting a proposal for the GoBus RFP should fill out the Intent to Submit Form (link may be found below beginning June 1st, 2025). Interested vendors must fill out this form by July 1st, 2025, in order to establish a file submission portal ahead of the proposal submission deadline.
• Once a vendor fills out the Intent to Submit Form, the GoBus Coordinator will be in touch via email with a link to a unique & secure submission folder that is password protected. Please note that establishing a file submission portal via the form does not obligate a vendor to submit a proposal.

In order to receive email notifications of additional updates, documents, etc., please email the GoBus Coordinator, Claudia Bashaw, at claudia.bashaw@hapcap.org. All updates and documents will be available here on this webpage.

If you opt NOT to contact Ms. Bashaw to receive email notifications, please note that it is your responsibility to make sure you have all of the updated information and documents in order to complete the RFP Application. HAPCAP and GoBus will not be responsible for conveying the additional information or documents to you beyond posting them here on this webpage.

RFP Application Part I

RFP Applications Part 2:  Cost Proposal Summary Worksheet

2025 GoBus Expansion RFP Intent to Submit Form