Last week, Community Transit began taking applications for its Van GO vehicle grant program, which offers surplus vehicles to local groups to help meet community transportation needs.

The Van GO vehicle grant program was created by Community Transit 10 years ago to meet unfilled needs for local transportation in Snohomish County. This year’s program is timed to help offset the impact of service cuts. The Community Transit board of directors recently approved a plan to cut service by 15 percent, including the suspension of all Sunday and holiday bus service. The cuts take effect June 13.

“We’re very sorry that the financial situation we are in has resulted in cuts to our service, but we are committed to helping our riders find alternatives to get around,” said Community Transit CEO Joyce Eleanor. “Van GO is one option that allows community groups to help meet a transportation need in their local area.”

Older vehicles — whether vanpool vans, paratransit mini-buses or staff service vehicles — are earmarked for surplus auction after their useful life at Community Transit. Under Van GO, some of the surplus vehicles are set aside to be granted to non-profit agencies through a competitive process. Community groups must demonstrate in their application how they would use the vehicle to provide transportation service.

Twelve surplus vehicles are available to be granted this year: three 14-passenger mini-buses with wheelchair lifts; six 8-passenger vans, and  three 12-passenger vans.

All vehicles have been well maintained by Community Transit maintenance staff.