Free transportation for Buda seniors is on the horizon after city leaders approved a project grant sub-recipient agreement that paves the way for a $42,000 wheelchair accessible van.
The agreement, which was involved the city and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, calls for Buda to receive a total grant amount of $53,697 for the project, according to Capital Metro documentation.
Roughly $42,000 will go to an American Disabilities Act (ADA) senior van, with an additional $11,000 for operating assistance.
However, unlike many other grant programs that require a 20 percent match from local governments, Buda won’t have to pay a dime for the money, said Chance Sparks, Buda assistant city manager. He added the city is receivig “Transporation Development Credits” from Cap Metro, which covers the 20 percent match the city had to pay.
Sparks said in order for Buda to access federal funds for the transportation project, Capital Metro had to enter into the agreement with the city.
He added Buda City Planner Meredith Johnson worked to secure the grand funds for the city’s new senior van, which is ADA accessible.
Sparks also said in addition to the new ADA accessible senior van, the grant harbored funds available for additional operating costs, which could mean extended hours of service for the senior transportation program in Buda.
According to Cap Metro documentation, the grant will help Buda “ improve the transportation services currently provided to seniors and individuals with disabilities by purchasing a new ADA accessible van.”
The new van will not only allow for “service to be safer and more reliable,” but would allow it to be a choice for seniors to get to their destination, according to Capital Metro documentation. The service will be free for seniors who participate.
The agenda item may have appeared only in the consent agenda due in part to the fact that Buda will not have to spend a dime in order to get it.
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge expressed his approval of the grant funds for the new ADA van. He said the old senior transportation van has been in disrepair for quite a while.
“This is going to be very welcomed to the seniors in the Buda community,” Ruge said, “I think there is potential in the future to have a fleet of ADA accessible vans that will allow us to expand our senior transportation services, maybe in the next six months.”
