Seniors in Royal Oak now have a new, high-tech ride to get around town. The city purchased a Ford Transit electric vehicle in March.

The Royal Oak Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center at 13 Mile and Marias offers seniors and adults with permanent disabilities transportation services Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who need to run errands to the doctor, grocery store and other needed venues now have the latest in EV technology to get them out and about.

Senior Center Director Yolanda Botello is grateful for the new ride.

“It is wonderful,” Botello said. “We removed one seat so that we can accommodate our seniors that are utilizing walkers and so they can actually get through to the seats. Once we bring them up on the lift, they'll be able to walk from the back to the front. We use it for in-town transportation, which consists of medical appointments, grocery stores and just running everyday errands.”

She noted some seniors use the transportation service to go the gym, do their banking and to socialize, such as meeting at a restaurant.

“Our transportation program is a door-to-door throughout the day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,” she said. “And we have a fleet of six buses, and we've added the seventh with the EV shuttle.”

The van cost $99,753.37, and was fully paid by the Department of Energy through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

Botello notes that the addition of the EV van will help reduce overall fleet transportation fuel costs. On average, six vehicles in the fleet are fueled four times a week.

There has been such a high demand for senior transportation that some needs have gone unmet. However, with the additional vehicle, more seniors can be served, Botello said. The vehicle is currently being charged at the Department of Public Works but plans to build EV charging stations at the senior center are in progress.

Transportation services are provided for residents aged 60 and older or adults who have permanent disabilities. Newly hired City Manager Joe Gacioch said the EV van is a great test for the city as Royal Oak has plans to put more EVs into service.

“This is a transformative project for the seniors,” Gacioch said. “Often times cities begin with smaller cars like code enforcement. But with transit, what I love about it is it’s serving our seniors. It’s public facing use not a government use. It’s a bold investment. This is a beefy vehicle to electrify.

To schedule a ride, call (248) 246-3914 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call up to two weeks in advance for appointments. A minimum of one day is required, however, space is not always available with such short notice, according to romi.gov.

For more information, visit romi.gov/383/transportation.