Three dozen recently “retired” King County employees are preparing for a future of helping meet the transportation needs of county residents, according to the King County Council.

The council unanimously adopted a motion transferring retired Metro Vanpool vans to local government community programs to provide transportation assistance.

“Lack of transportation can be a major barrier for many non-profit organizations in carrying out their mission,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott. “The van donation program continues to be a great success, as we provide county resources that would otherwise be retired to organizations in need.”

According to the council, the retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this point, they are considered surplus. The vehicles that are not donated, are sold by the county.

“These vehicles have served a vital purpose for the County and will now perform a critical service for people throughout the region,” said Council member Larry Gossett. “Providing a ride for a senior looking to get to a medical appointment or taking a group of children on a field trip, these vans continue to be a valuable transportation asset even after they leave county service.”

In 1966, the council made its first donation of surplus vans. Over the last two decades according to the council, more than 550 van have been transferred 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:

• Capacity to support ongoing van operation, including assured funding for licensing, insuring, fueling and maintaining the van
• 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
• Ability to support county’s public transportation function by reducing single occupancy vehicle trips, pollution and traffic congestion; supplementing services provided by the county’s paratransit system and increasing the mobility for the transit-dependent for whom regular transit might not always be a convenient option.

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, the council said. Interested organizations can contact the council member representing their district for more information on applying for a vehicle.

For more information contact Al Sanders at 206-696-8132 or email him at al.sanders@kingcounty.gov.