Written by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: Marquita Blair, fleet administrator for the City of Flint, shared the City’s new bus for youth and senior activities would hold 12 stand-alone passengers, including two wheelchair passengers.
City of Flint officials recently announced that the municipality has secured a brand-new vehicle to transport people to and from youth or senior recreational opportunities within the city limits.
At a press conference held at the City of Flint’s 12th Street Garage, Mayor Sheldon Neeley stated: “These buses will be used for our young people and PAL Police Athletic League. We have two organizations under that umbrella that kids will benefit from having this level of transportation.”
Neeley continued: “Mobility has been an issue in our community for a very long time, especially for our seniors. Those seniors that’s in senior facilities that could not get to and from our senior facilities now will have the opportunity to be able to use and ride this bus.”
MTA agreed to provide the driver for the bus.
Neeley expressed that he was pleased to have a professional driver to transport city residents who may have mobility issues, be handicapped or may not be able to drive for other reasons. He stated that the driver would be compensated.
According to Neeley, the City will be setting up standard routes from the Mays Community Center, the McKinley Community Center and the PAL (Police Activities League) facility for young people.
Marquita Blair, fleet administrator for the City of Flint, shared the bus would hold 12 stand-alone passengers, including two wheelchair passengers and harness restraints. Safety equipment will also be provided on the bus. She also shared it will have onboard camera systems, inside and outside facing, for safety measures.
The bus was obtained a grant from the State of Michigan.
“We want to get people in good spaces where they can get good information, good instruction and good opportunities to be able to be productive adults,” said Blair. “Through our police athletic league, we have opportunities for young people at our Haskell Community Center that’s back online now with our outdoor sports field and internal operational activities, from literacy programs, bowling, boxing and other opportunities for these young people to be able to engaged in.
“But sometimes parents cannot get them from point A to point B. This bus will be put into engagement with those individuals, whether they be meeting at a faith-based organization to be able to be transported to our community center.”
Sergeant Paul Spann with the City of Flint Police Department added: “This bus will be able to do some wonderful things for our program. Right now, what we’re currently doing is we actually have a boxing program that we have kickstarted. So that is available for again kids, youth of the community to come and participate in. We have the swim program, a number of other things. We’re also working on a mentoring program.”
Spann said he was “definitely very thankful for the ability to have this to be able to assist with…providing accessibility for all of the citizens. “
For more information, residents can check updates from the City of Flint or Flint Police Activities League.
