DOVER, N. H. — Seacoastonline reported that the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) van service is experiencing higher demand from seniors and disabled residents.

Meanwhile, the cost of the service has also risen from $180,000 in 2009 to slightly less than $900,000 this year, Rad Nichols, COAST’s executive director, told the paper. Additionally, as the service is growing, some cities and towns whose residents use COAST's van service and fixed-bus routes have cut their contribution to the service.

Nichols added that New Hampshire may be responsible for a large portion of the increase in demand because it has encouraged seniors and disabled residents to call the transit system so the state doesn't have to provide the service. For the full story, click here.