The town of St. Clair recently purchased a used van to transport seniors into town. In summer, the van will also serve as a port vehicle.
At its regular meeting on December 6, city council unanimously approved the purchase of a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L + from St. Clair Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for $ 38,503, not much less its sticker price. from $ 41,785 in new condition. The vehicle has driven 14,000 miles and retains its full warranty until October 4 of this year.
The city’s previous van exploded on October 8.
“The Seniors Van program is up and running,” City Clerk Annette Sturdy said by email Jan. 3.
The city offers transportation service to people aged 60 and over free of charge, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. call between 9 a.m. and noon or 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
With the exception of the River District Hospital, the van transports people only within the city limits – the city limits on North Riverside Avenue to the north; Oak Street to the south; and Cox Road to the west.
“There has been no change in the service,” Sturdy said. “The city is proud to continue this convenience for our seniors. “
Harbor master Dave Shorkey discussed the city’s options at the December 6 meeting.
“We get a lot of warmth from the elderly,” Shorkey said, as heard on the tape of the reunion on CTV Channel Six. “They are missing their senior van.”
The previous van was a Ford Transit bought about five years ago for $ 30,000.
“Those Transit vans are almost nonexistent now,” Shorkey said. “I asked Bill MacDonald Ford and they told me they couldn’t even order them.”
With Blue Water Area Transit not requiring a wheelchair lift in the van, the best alternative to a full-size van was a van, but even these are rare.
“Today, Chrysler appears to be the only company that really manufactures one other than Honda and Toyota,” Shorkey said. “I checked with a Honda dealership and they had one with a lot of miles which was very expensive. I know we like to consider local suppliers first. St. Clair Chrysler had three on its lot. They billed us for them. I also went to Dick Huvaere in Richmond and they had several available.
Shorkey narrowed the search down to seven Chrysler Pacifica, three from St. Clair Chrysler and four from Dick Huvaere. All of the vehicles were single owner leases that had been returned. All of them are accident-free. Each of the vans can accommodate six passengers compared to seven with the old Transit. The vehicle with the lowest mileage was a 2018 Dick Huvaere with 13,320 miles; the cost was $ 34,865 without warranty. The cheapest Pacifica was $ 28,803 from St. Clair Chrysler; he had 50,230 miles and no guarantees.
The city puts about 10,000 miles a year on the senior van.
“The used car market is at an all time high,” Shorkey said. “It’s a difficult time to find vehicles, whether new or used. “
Mayor Bill Cedar has said he would rather buy the 2019 Pacifica from St. Clair Chrysler with 14,000 miles and warranty remaining.
The vehicle is red.
“Red also matches all of our trucks,” noted City Superintendent Warren Rothe.
Council member Butch Kindsvater seconded the mayor’s motion. He went 7-0.
Businesses in the city advertise on the van, which brings in about $ 4,000 a year.
“We’re going to smooth it out, put some advertising on it,” Shorkey said, “and you’ll think it’s a NASCAR over there.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer. Contact him at [email protected]
