Van GO Grants Keep Our Community Moving

Opportunity is knocking... for Snohomish County nonprofit organizations to get a van at no cost.

Community Transit's Van GO program awards surplus vans to qualified nonprofits that demonstrate they can use the vehicles to provide needed transportation services in their community. Since 2000, Community Transit has awarded 106 surplus vanpool and service vans as well as paratransit minibuses to organizations through an annual competition.

A number of those vehicles awarded over the years are still in service. Community Transit takes good care of its vehicles, so even a van with 120,000 miles on it is likely to provide years of service for a small organization.

The deadline to apply for this year's vehicles, up to ten 12-passenger vans, is Friday, Sept 26. The vehicles are awarded through a competitive process in which community groups demonstrate how they will use the vehicles to provide transportation service. Awardees will get the van at no cost but must show proof of insurance, pay to register the vehicle and provide quarterly reports to Community Transit.

Questions about eligibility should be directed to vango@commtrans.org or (425) 438-6136.

Applications and more details about the Van GO program are available at www.communitytransit.org/vango.

Applications that are mailed must be postmarked by Sept. 26. Electronic or hand-delivered applications must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Electronic applications must be followed by a hard copy containing the appropriate certification signatures.