Van GO Grants Keep Our Community Moving
Van GO originated in 2000 following route cuts and eliminations due to the passage of I-695. At its regular February 3, 2000 meeting, Community Transit’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a staff proposal that six wheelchair accessible minibuses and six 15-passenger vans be granted to qualifying non-profit organizations throughout Snohomish County. The goal was to ease some of the pain for senior citizens, the disabled and youth caused by the service cuts.
Since then, Community Transit has granted 136 vehicles to non-profit organization in Snohomish County to provide transportation services to residents. Vehicles
that are earmarked for surplus auction are instead granted to
non-profit agencies. Usually, retired Community Transit vans sold at
auction net a few thousand dollars each for the agency. By granting some
of these surplus vehicles to community groups, they can continue to
provide many times that value in transportation services.
This year, 33 groups submitted applications demonstrating how they would use the vehicles to benefit people in their community. In all, 12 non-profit organizations will be able to provide more than 45,000 trips to their community members thanks to retired vanpool vans and paratransit mini-buses they received in the competitive grant program. Congratulations to our recipients.
Interested in Van GO?
Complete our online interest form. You'll be contacted when the Van GO program is accepting applications.