SouthWest Transit (SWT) seeks proposals from qualified charter bus service providers to provide buses and drivers during the 2026, 2027, and 2028 Minnesota State Fairs. 4.1 Service Days, Hours, and Schedule • Vehicle In-Service Days: Vehicle and Driver services are required for all 12 days of the 2026, 2027, and 2028 Minnesota State Fairs (2026 is scheduled for August 27-September 7) • Driver Training Days: Buses and drivers will need to be onsite for training two days prior to the start of the fairs. (see 4.4) For 2026, this is August 25-26 • Service/Revenue Hours: Approximately 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily for 12 days • Platform Hours: Approximately 15 hours/day/vehicle for a total 1440 platform hours • Schedule: Buses will operate on a schedule as directed by the SWT Transit Operations team and executed through the SWT Dispatch team 4.2 Routes • Express service to the Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub will originate from one or more park & ride stations located in Carver, Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie. Routing may vary between inbound and outbound trips and will be determined by the SWT Transit Operations and Dispatch Teams. Detailed routing information will be provided upon contract award. o Carver Station, 1607 Hartwell Drive, Carver, MN 55315 o East Creek Transit Station, 2120 N Chestnut St, Chaska, MN 55318 o SouthWest Village, 650 SW Village Dr, Chanhassen, MN 55317 o SouthWest Station, 13500 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344 o Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub, 1370 Randall Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108 4.3 Vehicles • A minimum of eight buses per day, each with a capacity of at least 50 seated passengers - or equivalent service levels • Vehicles must have working air-conditioning, and be clean and reliable
