The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) purchased 40 MV-1 mobility vehicles, marking the long term goal of replacing the mobility fleet’s sedans and many of its cutaway buses.

The first 10 MV-1s are in service and the remaining 30 should be in service within two months.

“These new MV-1 vehicles reflect a commitment to delivering top level service to our mobility customers,” said MTA Administrator Ralign T. Wells. “Once these MV-1s are fully implemented, our entire MTA mobility fleet will be fully wheelchair accessible.”

In addition to being designed specifically for the mobility community, MV-1s get better gas mileage and are easier to navigate on narrow, one-way city streets. It is estimated the MV-1s will save the MTA approximately $75,000 a month, or $900,000 a year, once 70% of the fleet is converted. Maintenance costs are expected to be reduced about 50%.

The MTA’s long term goal is to replace all 120 sedans by 2014 and have MV-1s represent 70% of the mobility fleet by 2017. The MTA currently operates 447 mobility vehicles; 325 cutaway buses and 120 sedans.