Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority has awarded Transdev Services Inc. of Lombard, Illinois, the contract to operate its LANtaVan paratransit division.

The announcement of the five-year contract, which is effective July 1, was made by Owen P. O’Neil, LANTA’s executive director.

Transdev will also handle operations for LANTA’s Carbon Transit Division. LANTA’S paratransit fleet includes 85 LANtaVan vehicles, and 14 with Carbon Transit.

“While LANTA will continue to administer the service and use its Bethlehem-based call center for scheduling trips, Transdev will address all day-to-day operations to serve our riders,” O’Neil said.

In addition, Transdev will be responsible for hiring drivers and maintenance staff involved with LANtaVan and Carbon Transit services.

“Users of LANTA’s paratransit services will see no change in how they make their reservation or what they need to do to access their van,” said Tiana Williams, Director of Rider Resources & Communications. “All phone numbers and other communications tools will be the same, and the vehicles will have the same LANtaVan or Carbon Transit markings,” she added.

There will be no changes to services and any rider with a standing reservation does not need to make a new reservation. Transdev is part of a global company operating in 18 countries on six continents and is the largest private provider of multiple modes of transport in North America.

It serves more than 45 transit agencies in the United States.

“This is another outstanding opportunity for Transdev to partner with an excellent transit agency. We are excited to work with LANTA to provide safe, reliable, professional service to the Lehigh Valley communities and customers,” said Bill Spraul, Transdev’s regional vice president for their South-Central region. “We are looking forward to showcasing our technology offerings, along with our expertise and experience.

“Our new partnership with LANTA is another testament to our commitment to safety, service, and sustainability,” Spraul added.

The LANtaVan Division will be moved to its new location in Allentown this June. The 67,000-square-foot facility, located on the former Mack Trucks 5-C Plant lot, will house the fleet as well as maintenance and administrative staff.

The Carbon Transit fleet will continue to be housed in Nesquehoning.