Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) -  A trial date has been set involving the lawsuit Rochester City Lines filed after it lost its contract as the provider of public transit services for the city in 2012.

Olmsted County Judge Joseph Chase has ordered the trial to begin February 1st.

And Chase has removed himself from the case that he has been presiding over since it was first filed.

His decision was based in part on a ruling he made in November that rejected a request from RCL for a jury trial. That means a decision on the case will be made by Judge Kevin Lund, who was assigned last week to oversee the proceedings.

In issuing the order for his removal, Chase wrote  - “I think my ability to impartially act as the finder of fact in this matter might reasonably be questioned.” His decision also noted his earlier dismissal of the case, which was later overturned by the state Supreme Court.

The court found the company presented enough evidence to raise questions about whether the bidding and selection process for the new contract was fair and unbiased.

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