On The Agenda: A New Senior Bus?

On Wednesday night, First Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano has announced she will ask the administration to find alternative funding for a new senior bus in Hoboken.  

The administration has proposed to buy new Hop buses—including a new senior shuttle—multiple times. Castellano—together with the other minority council members—has consistently voted "no" on those ordinances, in opposition to the bond ordinance. 

Castellano announced she wants the administration to consider grant funds or surplus money to pay for the bus. 

"Bonding simply increases the municipal debt burden and that is not a risk we need to take given the uncertain economy," Castellano said in a press release. "Bonding can be utilized for specific community capital improvements,, but not for a single vehicle with a limited lifespan."

Castellano, , said also that the acquisition of the senior shuttle doesn't have to happen at the same time as buying the other vehicles.

"It was unnecessary to bundle the acquisition of a single senior citizen bus with other vehicles through a $450,000 bond when we currently have the money for the acquisition of a senior citizen bus," she said. "Why would we want to go into long-term debt to acquire something with a short-term lifespan?"