Politics & Government

West Deptford Gets Loaned Bus from County

As the township waits to get its permanent replacement shuttle bus on the road, the freeholders stepped in, approving a loaner bus Wednesday night.

The shuttle bus saga is drawing to a close.

After a fire in the spring wrecked West Deptford's bus, the only form of transportation for some senior citizens locally, the township was first left waiting, first for an insurance settlement that didn't come until June, then for a replacement.

While a deal is now in place to get a bus from Westville, Mayor Anna Docimo said some needed work has to be done before it can get on the road.

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The township got good news on that front Wednesday night, as the county freeholder board approved a loaner bus for West Deptford to cover the gap before the replacement bus can be on the road.

“We don't want our seniors to be without a bus,” Docimo said. “It worked out really well.”

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Docimo said the loaner from the county, which is coming at no cost to West Deptford, was checked out ahead of time to make sure it meets the needs of the township's ridership.

Given complaints raised by several seniors at the township committee's June 2 meeting–everything from the height of the seats to broken air conditioning on the backup bus–that was important, Docimo said.

Docimo said the township isn't sure exactly how long it'll take to get the permanent replacement bus on the road, and so the loaner bus from the county isn't on a specific schedule.


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