The town and village of Granville acquired a “new-to-them” van from the Washington County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 to be used for the Senior Shuttle program.

The van, a gray Dodge Grand Caravan with 145,534 miles, was sold for $3,500 after the Washington County Office for Aging declared the vehicle surplus following its usage for the “Meals on Wheels” program.

Granville supervisor Matt Hicks sees the program, free to the public while encouraging tips for gas, as a long-lasting venture and option for community members.

“The village and town will do whatever it takes to continue to provide the Senior Shuttle service for the residents,” Hicks said. “We were lucky enough to acquire this van from the county as they got some new vehicles. We will set aside money and apply for grants to be able to buy a new van so the service will go far into the future.”

The Granville program allows individuals 55 and older to be transported on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by driver Ernie Wood.

Typical reasons for transport, according to village clerk Rick Roberts, are for groceries, prescriptions, banking and church services.

“I think it’s a very valuable service in an outlying community like Granville,” Roberts said. “I think it provides a measure of independence.”

Roberts said the contract for the previous senior shuttle vehicle that was owned by the town, village and LEAP, had expired and was not renewed.

In February 2020, a vehicle was ordered on New York State contract but was not able to be produced because of supply shortages. After being delayed all the way into summer of 2021, the order was canceled.

Roberts explained that the county understood the situation the town and the village were in and leased a van on an informal agreement through a mileage reimbursement. This agreement extended past 30 and 90 days and eventually to the point where the village and town agreed to purchase the used van from the county.

“We do have hopes of getting a new van,” Roberts said. “In the present environment, it is difficult to get a new van.”

To schedule a ride on the senior shuttle, call 518-361-7677.