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Greenburgh board debates using $200,000 CDBG grant for senior and youth transportation
Summary
At the June 3 work session, TDYCC staff outlined transportation shortfalls and options after receiving a $200,000 CDBG grant: buy a hybrid 40‑passenger coach (estimates cited at $400k–$800k), retrofit or buy smaller buses, or rent coach buses for senior trips. Board members asked staff to return with cost, maintenance and driver analyses.
TDYCC staff presented transportation needs for seniors and youth at the Greenburgh Town Board’s June 3 work session and outlined options for using a $200,000 CDBG grant to address a shortfall in comfortable, reliable buses.
The TDYCC representative (Speaker 11) said the department’s 40‑passenger bus has been heavily used and that two other older buses (36‑ and 32‑passenger) have high mileage and recent breakdowns. ‘‘We were having issues over the last two years where our 40‑passenger broke down, and unfortunately it was in New York City,’’ the TDYCC representative said, explaining driver availability and breakdown risks are a major operational constraint.
The group discussed three broad options: purchase a hybrid 40‑passenger coach (documented in staff materials at roughly $400,000 for a hybrid option, with fully electric coaches cited as far more expensive), purchase smaller buses and accept lower comfort, or rent coach buses (including driver service) for high‑comfort senior trips. Several members recommended renting coach buses in the near term while researching a capital purchase for the long term.
Board members and staff highlighted hidden operating costs — drivers, insurance, maintenance and the town repair shop’s capacity to service hybrid or electric drivetrains. The TDYCC representative said a proposal in the packet listed a hybrid 40‑passenger school‑style coach at about $400,000 including the $200,000 CDBG grant contribution; other participants said fully electric models could approach $800,000.
Members discussed whether to use the CDBG grant to purchase a hybrid coach, upgrade two smaller buses with the grant funds, or retain the grant and rent coach service as needed. One member urged not to ‘‘turn down $50,000’’ in available funding (referring to a different annual assistance idea) and another suggested the town could buy a more basic, comfortable bus in the $250,000 range and supplement with rentals.
Next steps: staff and the town repair shop will analyze maintenance implications and provide cost breakdowns for purchase, retrofit and rental options; they were asked to return with a recommendation that includes capital cost, operating cost estimates and driver implications. No formal purchase vote occurred at the session.
The board then moved to executive session to discuss personnel matters and legal advice.
