County Council finds good homes for “retired” County vans

Council approves donations to agencies through County vanpool program

Instead of heading to the used car lot, retired Metro Transit vanpool vans will be used to increase transportation options for local governments and non-profit organizations throughout King County. The Metropolitan King County Council today approved the donation of the 25 vehicles through the King County Vanpool Program.

“I am pleased to continue this tradition that has helped so many people over the years,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee. “It’s a great way for us to help the non-profit organizations of this County who are doing truly great work for our constituents with truly scarce resources.”

“King County’s van donation program is one of the most popular programs in our government because it provides such tangible results,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “These vehicles enable our senior citizens and children to get to senior care programs, social events, sports, childcare and after school programs – programs that would be inaccessible to these populations without these vans.”

“This simple measure will make a big difference in the lives of seniors, children and people with disabilities from every corner of King County,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson.

“King County’s retired van donation program is a terrific way for the County to assist those non-profit organizations who play a vital role in elevating the quality of life throughout our region,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “I am thrilled to have terrific service-oriented organizations in Federal Way and Auburn that will put these vans to good use.”

Since 1995, the King County Council has donated retired vans to nonprofit groups and local governments to help meet the transportation needs of low-income, elderly, disabled, and young people throughout the county.

“A non-profit organization can do a lot of good with a used van that would otherwise be sold for a tiny fraction of its original value,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “This program is no giveaway. Recipient programs must sign a contract pledging that these vans will be used to provide transportation to transit-dependent populations, such as seniors, young people, and people with disabilities.”

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.

“This van donation program represents a great example of recycling,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents Northeast King County. “It is an excellent use of our resources to assist programs that serve disadvantaged youth, especially in the Snoqualmie Valley where transportation options are so limited. The reuse of these vans also eliminates the need for single-vehicle trips, which reduces traffic congestion and pollution, while also helping these youth programs to serve more young people.”

“I’ve seen firsthand many times how our local service agencies find a second life for these well-loved vans serving the needs of children, elderly, and disabled people in King County,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “I’m very proud of King County’s successful retired vanpool program.”

“I was struck by the impressive array of human services and outdoor recreation organizations that stand to benefit from the use of a retired Metro Vanpool van,” said King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “I am proud that in my district, disabled children will have the chance to go hiking and camping and elderly residents will have better access to critical human services thanks to retired vans provided by this wonderful program of Metro Transit and the King County Council.”

The donated vans come from the county’s retired vanpool fleet, which consists of vans that are at least 6 years old and are to be surplussed and sold and vans that are leased and loaned.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system. Type in “2007-0489”