John Zaccardi drives the Margate senior citizen bus.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The city has been awarded a grant from New Jersey’s allotment of 2019 Federal Transit Administration funds for a new senior transportation vehicle. The new bus will be put into service in 2023 or 2024 and will replace the city’s existing vehicle.
“On behalf of all Margate seniors, we are thankful to the State of New Jersey and New Jersey Transit for recognizing the need for the reliable transportation for those unable to drive to life saving appointments for medical, food and similar purposes,” Mayor Michael Becker said in a release. “The confidence shown by those authorities to award such a grant is a credit to all those who work daily with our seniors in a variety of ways.”
Marianne Christian, who runs the senior program at the Martin Bloom Pavilion on Huntington Avenue, was instrumental in applying for the grant funds, Recreation Supervisor Andrew Miles told commissioners at their meeting Sept. 2.
The new bus, like the one the city currently uses, is Americans With Disabilities Act compliant.
“The new vehicle is bigger than the current vehicle we have and accommodates two wheelchairs instead of just one,” Christian said. “They told us it will take two or three years to be delivered.”
According to Christian, bus service is currently available for Margate residents 65 years or older and disabled residents.
The free shuttle picks up Margate residents at their homes and transports them to doctor appointments, local businesses and social events in the Downbeach area, including Ventnor and Longport.
The bus also makes weekly trips to the ShopRite supermarket and monthly trips to Boscov’s Department Store and Walmart.
The bus is in service 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Service dogs are permitted.
For more information, contact Marianne Christian at 609-822-3304.
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