The York County Council on Tuesday voted to allow York County Access, a low-cost transportation program, to replace its aging fleet of buses using a combination of state money and separate funding.
York County Access, which is run by the York County Council on Aging, provides discounted rides for residents within county limits to workplaces, doctors offices and other businesses.
Users of the program pay $2.50 per ride regardless of mileage, according to the program’s website, and schedule pick-ups and drop-offs in advance.
The state Department of Transportation awarded the county $220,000 to fund the transportation program, according to county documents. The Council on Aging is providing additional matching funds of $45,060 to replace its current fleet of four buses.
Under standard practice, buses are phased out when they hit 150,000 miles or five years of service, according to the county.
Per state regulations, the funds were given to the county and not directly to the aging council directly. The county has been the temporary recipient of those funds as well the holder of the vehicles’ titles, and provided the matching funds for the new buses.
Both funds and titles will be transferred to the Council of Aging, which will reimburse the county for the matching dollars.
Councilman Joe Cox voted against the measure, citing his concerns over the heavy subsidization of the program at the cost of taxpayers.
While the program is an initiative of the Council on Aging, adult residents of all ages can ride the buses and can be driven to a variety of locations.
By Jie Jenny Zou, Staff Reporter with The Herald
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