N.Y. counties win chance to buy $1 paratransit buses

Six used Westchester County (N.Y.) paratransit buses will be transferred for the sum of only $1 each to the following lottery winners: the Town of Yorktown, the Yorktown Fire District, the Sleepy Hollow Police Department, the Elmsford Union Free School District, the North Castle South Fire District #1 and the Village of Pelham.

“These buses have fulfilled their duty at the county level and are ready for a second life,” executive Robert P. Astorino said. “It’s great that our local municipalities, schools, police and fire departments have capitalized on this opportunity, which ultimately will help save taxpayer money.”

With a resale value of up to $10,000, the buses are intended to help municipalities meet the needs of residents at a time when budgets are constrained. In the past, the county had allowed municipalities to lease the buses for $1 a year, but last year the administration decided it was easier to completely transfer the vehicles to local governments or special districts.

Additional lotteries will be held sporadically as vehicles are eligible to be replaced; vehicles qualify for replacement every four years. The first lottery, held in December 2011, had six applicants for six vehicles.

All paratransit buses will be transferred in “AS IS” condition, with no representations, guarantees or warranties, for the sum of $1 and a contractual commitment to use the vehicles for purposes that benefit the residents of Westchester County.

Arrangements will be made to transfer the paratransit buses now that the lottery selection process is complete. Lottery winners will be required to execute an agreement with the county that shall be subject to the approval of the County Board of Acquisition and Contracts. Once an agreement has been executed, the lottery winner will pick up the vehicle at a location designated by the county and comply with all necessary procedures to transfer the title.