Sticker Shock For New Simsbury Senior Bus

SIMSBURY, CT — Inflation is causing massive impacts on all aspects of consumer life, even for towns looking to purchase a new bus for its senior citizen 'Dial-a-Ride' program.

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen recently voted unanimously to appropriate enough cash to overcome a huge shortfall for town plans to purchase another "Dia-a-Ride' bus to help local seniors.

Back in 2021-22, Simsbury Social Services sought and received a $64,000 appropriation to purchase a new, second bus to double the amount of service offerings for those aged 60 and up.

Of the $64,000, town officials said, $51,200 was to be funded via a state Department of Transportation grant.

But now the town is about to get the new bus delivered, but the price tag has gone up ... by a lot.

What was once projected to cost $64,000 in 2021 now costs $117,171 in 2024, a massive 83 percent spike in just three short years.

According to Simsbury officials, "vehicle shortages" and "inflationary factors" are to blame for this sudden case of 'Dial-a-Ride' bus sticker shock.

The good news in all of this, however, is the $53,171 shortfall will be covered by another DOT grant, meaning Simsbury's tax rolls won't be impacted by the price spike for the bus.

But the purchase required town action, which Simsbury selectmen easily approved on Feb. 26.

While the vote was unanimous, Simsbury selectmen appeared puzzled as to why the bus price wasn't locked in back in 2021 when it was ordered.

Simsbury Selectman Diana Yeisley said when one orders a new car, the price is locked in upon ordering it even though it might go up later during the period between ordering and delivery.

"My question is why wasn't the cost locked in at that time?" asked Yeisley.

Local officials at the meeting said, simply, ordering buses is different than ordering cars, and such an option wasn't offered to the town.

Deputy Town Manager Thomas Fitzgerald said, that despite the sticker shock, state grant funds will take care of the spike, not local taxpayers.

"There is no cost to the town for it. It is just to cover the cost of the bus with a grant," Fitzgerald said. He said Simsbury should have the bus delivered by late spring.

For the minutes of the Feb. 26 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For information on the resolution approved by Simsbury selectmen, click on this link and scroll to Page 21.