Council approves transfer of surplus vanpool van to organizations throughout King County

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved sending more than two dozen eager King County “retirees” to new careers of helping transport county residents. The Council adopted a motion transferring retired Metro Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, senior citizens and young people.

The retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this age, they are considered surplus. The vehicles that are not donated are sold.

Since 1996, the County Council has transferred more than 460 retired vans from Metro’s Vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for the disabled, low-income, young adults, and senior citizens. 

The organizations, agencies and governments receiving vans include these agencies with local ties: Hopelink, PROVAIL, and Turning Point.