Babylon Town OKs seeking funds for 2 buses

The Town of Babylon Tuesday approved a request for state money to buy buses to transport seniors.

At its board meeting, the town approved a resolution authorizing an application to the state legislative grant program for $120,000. The town is applying through the office of Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst). In 2010, Sweeney secured $50,000 for the town to purchase a bus for seniors.

If approved, the town will use the money to buy two 20-seat buses. The buses will be used to transport take seniors to and from the town’s senior centers, as well as for medical appointments and shopping trips.

The town currently has 16 buses capable of carrying between 14 and 24 passengers each, as well as two 10-passenger vans. The town does not plan to retire any buses this year, spokesman Tim Ruggeri said.

The program, which costs the town $6,400 per week in labor, maintenance and fuel costs, serves more than 500 seniors daily, he said.