Since 1996, organizations and governments in King County have benefitted from the second career of close to 500 county “retirees.” The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday recognized the program that transfers retired Metro vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, senior citizens and young people.
“In 1996, I introduced legislation that transferred used passenger vans to nonprofit organizations and local governments that meet the needs of low-income, elderly, disabled and young people in our community,” said King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, the sponsor of the motion that created the van donation program. “Retired vans will continue to provide critical lifelines to local nonprofits, and improve the quality of life for many of our region’s residents.”
Since the adoption of the motion, the County Council has transferred close to 500 retired vans from Metro’s vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for the disabled, low-income, young adults and senior citizens.
Governments, agencies and organizations that receive the vans must meet specific requirements. Those requirements include the capacity to support ongoing van operation, including assured funding for licensing, insuring, fueling and maintaining the van; the ability to provide qualified and trained drivers; specific plans for use of the van to transport low-income, elderly or young people or people with disabilities and assurance that the use shall be available to those persons without regard to affiliation with any particular organization; and the ability to support the county’s public transportation function by reducing single occupancy vehicle trips, pollution and traffic congestion.
The vanpool program provides mobility for a diverse array of King County residents, supports the positive work of various local organizations and relieves traffic congestion by reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicles. Interested organizations can contact the County Council member representing their district for more information on applying for a vehicle.
