Peabody Council On Aging To Get 6 New Vans

PEABODY, MA – Peabody is one of two dozen communities to get part of $10.2 million in Community Transit Grants to purchase new accessible vans.

The six new vans – which will go to the Peabody Council on Aging – will provide transportation to seniors and paratransit (transportation for people with disabilities) customers. The Community Transit Grant Program is an annual competitive grant program administered by MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division to meet the mobility needs of seniors and paratransit customers. The program is funded in part by the Mobility Assistance Program, which was reauthorized by Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Legislature this spring in the $290 million transportation funding bill.

"Without the Mobility Assistance grant, we simply could not provide the transportation services which benefit so many in our community," said Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. in a press release. "These beautiful new vans enable the fastest growing segment ofPeabody’s population – those 65 and older – the opportunity to continue to their vital contributions to our community. And for that, we all benefit."

"By providing these new vans to the Peabody Council on Aging, it illustrates a shining example, both literally and figuratively, of the great working relationship among the Baker administration, MassDOT, the Legislature, and the City of Peabody," said State Representative Thomas P. Walsh. "These vans will enhance the excellent service already provided by the Peabody Council on Aging, and we are grateful to be the recipients of this award."

The Councils on Aging, non-profit organizations, and Regional Transit Authorities receiving awards includes:

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority

Brockton Area Transit Authority

Cape Ann Transportation Authority

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority

Danvers Council on Aging

Dartmouth Council on Aging

Franklin Regional Transit Authority

Friends of the Millbury Seniors, Inc.

GAAMHA, Inc.

Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority

Greater Lynn Senior Services

HealthCare Options, Inc.

Kennedy Donovan Center

Littleton Council on Aging

Lowell Regional Transit Authority

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority

New Bedford Council on Aging

Northeast Independent Living

Peabody Council on Aging

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

Randolph Council on Aging

SCM Community Transportation, Inc.

Senior Care

South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.

Swansea Council on Aging

The Arc of Opportunity

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