An advisory report to be presented to the Lewiston City Council on Monday recommends that council members reject a proposal by Valley Transit to continue providing bus service to residents.

The city’s community development director suggests that the city can run the program for less money than what Valley Transit proposed in its April 18 outline to continue its operation of a single-loop bus service and dial-a-ride, door-to-door services. Valley Transit’s proposed five-year budget totals about $6.4 million, without new services, while the report claims the city can carry out the same program for an estimated $2.45 million, using what appears to be 6 percent annual increases plus $130,000 for a new route in fiscal year 2011.

Valley Transit officials acknowledge their higher bid, saying it includes the flexibility to take potential cost increases for the commodities, goods and services into account.

Nine buses are charged to Lewiston’s service, which has one fixed route that operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week, plus dial-a-ride buses and backups.