WASHINGTON, June 23 – Island Pond seniors will have a new bus service to Newport beginning tomorrow, thanks to funding secured by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The new 12-passenger bus service for seniors and disabled persons will be operated by Sunrise Manor senior center and Island Pond Community Services.

The bus, equipped with a wheelchair lift, will greatly improve mobility for seniors in the Northeast Kingdom. 

It will allow the Island Pond senior center to expand the vital services it provides area seniors.

“Senior centers play an extremely important role in enabling seniors to socialize, travel, exercise, and get access to health care professionals,” Sanders said.

The bus purchase was funded with federal funds Sanders secured to improve mobility for Vermont seniors.  A federal grant of $42,095 went toward the purchase.

In addition to the Island Pond bus, the $196,000 grant will help fund buses at senior centers in St. Albans, Montpelier, and Woodstock.