Struthers City Council approves elderly van service

Staff report

STRUTHERS

A new van will help Struthers’ elderly get out and about.

Struthers City Council passed legislation this week allowing the city to acquire the van and to hire a driver. The van, slated to arrive in July or August, will run five days a week and transport elderly residents to places such as doctor appointments, church and the grocery store.

Mayor Terry Stocker said $54,400 of the van’s total $68,000 cost came from an Ohio Department of Transportation grant. The city paid for the rest.

Struthers now runs a van service for the elderly three to four times a week, but the vehicle is “constantly breaking down,” Stocker said. Stocker said it is not yet decided whether the city will run two vans or whether the new van will replace the old one.

Due to its use of federal grant money, the new van service will have to comply with additional regulations, including being handicap-accessible and having a first aid-certified driver.

“Basically, we worked to chart a course that would be in compliance with federal requirements while still serving the needs of Struthers,” Stocker said.