County Executive Dan Benson announced that Mercer County has provided several municipalities with new twenty-seat buses to enhance local transportation services for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
“These vehicles reflect our unwavering commitment to improving the independence and quality-of-life for our seniors and disabled residents,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “By working in collaboration with our County Commissioners, mayors, and local leaders, we’re ensuring that everyone in Mercer can access the critical services they need, whether that’s a medical appointment, a community center, or a food pantry.”
East Windsor, Ewing, Trenton, and West Windsor each submitted requests to Mercer County for new ADA-compliant, handicapped-accessible, buses designed to serve residents with mobility challenges. The City of Trenton received two vehicles and each of the other municipalities received one.
“The award of these new buses to our municipalities reflects once again Mercer County stepping up and working as an important partner to help support the important needs of our communities,” said East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov. “We are grateful to Mercer County for the continued support that allows us to prioritize and enhance the transportation services available to our senior citizens
The new vehicles were funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV2) program. The purchases align with HUD’s National Objectives by directly supporting low-to-moderate-income seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals through community-based transportation programs.
The Covid-19 pandemic placed increased strain on municipal transportation fleets and on senior services. By replacing aging municipal assets with new and upgraded models, the new vehicles fill an important need for municipalities.
“Transportation remains a major barrier to healthcare and socialization for many of our seniors, who still live independently but may no longer drive,” said Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, “We greatly appreciate the partnership with the county to provide us with vehicles to serve our older residents.”
The new buses are now in service and represent a significant step forward in Mercer County’s efforts to strengthen transportation infrastructure, increase equity, and support the needs of every resident.
“Trenton is a city that depends heavily on public transportation, and with nearly 30 percent of our residents lacking access to a personal vehicle — a percentage likely even higher among our senior population — reliable transit options are essential,” said Mayor Reed Gusciora. “From microtransit and NJ Transit buses to the train station and T.R.A.D.E., our residents rely on a robust network to stay connected. The addition of these senior buses, generously provided by Mercer County through ARPA funding, is another critical step toward ensuring transportation equity. We are deeply grateful to County Executive Benson and the Board of County Commissioners for supporting our seniors and helping them stay engaged in our city’s programs and activities.”
“County Executive Benson and the Board of Commissioners really stepped up to ensure West Windsor township can now provide necessary transportation for our seniors,” said Mayor Hemant Marathe.