PLATTE COUNTY – Much needed transportion was purchased for both the Services for Seniors groups in Guernsey and in Wheatland with the help of dollars that came as a result of Platte County Voters approving the mill levy again in the last election.

“Proofs of the wisdom of Platte County voters, are being used to provide valuable services in Guernsey and Wheatland,” said Rose Martinez, president of the Platte County Senior Citizens Service District Board. “Voters chose to continue the Platte County Senior Citizens Services District mill levy in November which has been in place for over 20 years to provide support to the services provided to seniors by Services for Seniors.”  

In June the Senior District Board, which manages the funds, with the help of their secretary, Merlin Hitt, purchased a meal delivery van to replace a van with over 200,000 miles in Guernsey.  The new van was purchased from Bob Ruwart Motors for $42K.  Several years ago, the District Board purchased the meal delivery truck used in Wheatland.”

At least three years ago, Services for Seniors was approved for a grant from the Wyoming Department of Transportation to purchase a new handicapped-accessible bus. Each year DOT reviews use and repairs of transportation vehicles.  They decide if buses need to be replaced and offers grants to buy new ones.  

“Due to covid, no new buses were available because manufacturers were not making bus chassis,” Martinez said. “The buses used to provide public transportation in Wheatland and Guernsey were increasingly in need of repairs due to age and high mileage.  The Senior District Board offered to help in the search for vehicles along with local dealers.  The District Board is not bound by the restriction of only purchasing new vehicles that DOT is.  They opened the search to low mileage used vehicles.”  

Frontier Access and Mobility in Cheyenne received two buses and a van that could transport handicapped patrons. Ken Pasley, PCSCSDB vice president and Paul Holloway, bus driver for Services for Seniors, went to Cheyenne to decide if any of the vehicles would fill the needs of the county.  The Board held a special meeting in August to approve the purchase of two buses and a van, all of which could transport riders who are wheelchair bound.  The total cost was $118,000 for all three vehicles.

“The transportation services provided by the Senior Centers is for public use for a small fee,” Martinez said. “Services for Seniors chose to use one bus in Wheatland.  The bus provides public transportation around Wheatland, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and runs continually on these days and times.  The second bus and the van are being used in Guernsey.  The van has been DOT approved to be used for passenger transportation.  It has been very cost effective as Guernsey seldom needs to transport more than 2-3 people on in town errands at a time.  The bus is used for larger group needs and out of town transportation.  To make an appoint for rides call 307-322-3424 (Wheatland) or 307-836-2777 (Guernsey).”

The mill levy is funded by Platte County property taxes.  Over the past few years, the Senior District Board has received enough tax dollars to provide nearly half the budget for Services for Seniors to provide nutrition and health/home care in Wheatland, Glendo, Guernsey and Chugwater, as well as transportation services in Wheatland and Guernsey. The District Board has also been able to keep enough savings to provide for unexpected needs at the centers, such as replacing kitchen appliances when needed at the centers.