Westchester is “recycling” its old buses to help stretch taxpayers dollars.
County Executive Robert P. Astorino said municipal governments and boards, fire districts and school districts are invited to enter a lottery offering ParaTransit buses for $1. Lottery winners are required to use the vehicles in a way that benefits Westchester County residents.
“We invite our local municipalities to take advantage of this opportunity, which will save taxpayer money and ultimately help improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Astorino. “These buses have fulfilled their duty at the county level and are ready for a second life.”
The lottery is scheduled for June 15. The deadline to submit an application is May 16.
Applicants must complete a form available online at http://transportation.westchestergov.com/lottery. The application form can be submitted either emailing it to nsm3@westchestergov.com or faxing it to 914-995-4479. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. A letter detailing the application process went out to municipalities and school districts in April.
Interested participants can also visit the lottery Web page for additional information and photos of the vehicles being offered. Inspections can be arranged by calling 914-995-4961.
In the past, the county has allowed municipalities to lease the buses for $1 a year, but last year decided it was easier to transfer the vehicles. With a resale value of up to $10,000, the buses are intended to help municipalities meet the needs of its residents while being mindful of constrained budgets, Astorino said.
Lotteries will be held sporadically as vehicles are eligible to be replaced; vehicles qualify for replacement every four years. There are currently six vehicles available in the June 15 lottery. The first lottery, held in December 2011, had six applicants for six vehicles.
All ParaTransit buses will be transferred in “AS IS” condition, with no representations, guarantees or warranties, for the sum of $1 and a contractual commitment to use the vehicles for purposes that benefit the citizens of Westchester County.
Arrangements will be made to transfer the ParaTransit buses after the completion of the lottery selection process. Lottery winners will be required to execute an agreement with the county that shall be subject to the approval of the County Board of Acquisition and Contracts. An example of this agreement has been placed on the lottery Web page.
Once an agreement has been executed, the lottery winner will pick up the vehicle at a location designated by the county and comply with all necessary procedures to transfer the title.
