PORT TOWNSEND — Two passenger vans that were set to be declared as surplus vehicles by Jefferson Transit were handed over to a pair of local nonprofits Monday.
The vans, each with nearly 250,000 miles on the odometer, were at the end of their transit life, so the agency decided to donate them instead of trying to negotiate a sale, according to Jefferson Transit General Manager Tammi Rubert.
The Transition Academy, an alternative high school program located in Port Hadlock, received an 11-seat van.
The the second vehicle, which carries up to 13, was transferred to YMCA of Jefferson County.
Transition Academy Director Susan Prince said the van will be used to take kids to volunteer jobs at 24 different sites on two daily shifts.
“The logistics need to be mapped out,” Prince said.
“It can get quite complicated when you need to go five places at the same time.”
The YMCA van will be used to transport kids who are involved in after-school programs, giving them the ability to stay later.
“Right now, many of the kids’ only option is to take the bus at 3 [p.m.],” said Youth Services Director Stacey Larsen.
“It will allow us to reach more kids so they can participate.”
Both organizations said they would be willing to lend the vans to church groups in order to make up for the discontinuation after July 1 of the county’s Sunday transit service.
“The advantage we have now is that we can transport the kids, since the biggest barrier to program participation is transportation,” said YMCA Executive Director Erica Delma.
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
