By Shelby Stewart-Soldan
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp. — During the regular Monday night meeting, the Brandon Township Board of Trustees approved unanimously the SMART Municipal Credit and Community Credit contract for the fiscal year 2024 in the amount of $13,110.
Suburban Mobility Authority For Regional Transportation (SMART) is a lifeline for many area seniors and disabled adults.
“This is just for us to receive those credits,” said clerk Roselyn Blair. “We get four, quarterly credits.”
On Monday night the Groveland Township Board of Trustees approved the transfer of their SMART credits of $5,529 to Brandon Township. The SMART credits are state funds designated for senior transportation in a community. Since Groveland now utilizes the Western Oakland Transportation Authority for transportation, the SMART credits will be moved to Brandon Township.
The township uses those credits for the SMART bus operation run through the Edna Burton Senior Center to transport area seniors and disabled adults to doctor’s appointment, shopping trips, senior center activities, day trips and more.
“We are also able to pick up and transfer Focus: Hope commodities to area residents to help with their nutrition,” said EBSC coordinator Faye Bindig. “We also use the buses to help deliver meals on wheels to home-bound seniors.”
Bindig expressed concern at the meeting about other transportation services that don’t offer the kind of service the senior center drivers do. Since the township voted to stay with SMART, the senior center will continue to operate the buses.
“We have some clients that literally need to be taken into their doctor’s office,” said Bindig.
To coordinate for a ride, call the 248-627-6447.