The new minibus has finally arrived at the Lisbon Senior Center to replace the old van that once transported residents around town.

And it was a long time waiting. The state Department of Transportation 5310 Grant Program funded 80% of the cost of the van, and the grant took over a year and a half to get approved.

“The old van was over 10 years old and had over 100,000 miles on it and it was having problems,” said Karen Washington, senior coordinator at the Lisbon Senior Center.

The bus arrived Nov. 20 and was available for use by Dec. 10. The bus is used to give rides by appointment to any Lisbon resident over 55 years old or to anyone who is handicapped. There is no cost to ride the bus. The bus is used for Meals on Wheels, to take residents to doctor’s appointments, to go shopping, to get haircuts, to pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, and to run other errands.

The new mini bus boasts several improvements. It seats eight people and has an electric wheelchair ramp with anti-microbial seats. The old bus seated only three people and did not have an electric ramp.

Even with the lack of space in the old van, seniors were accommodated in any way possible. Washington said, “We had to get very creative with dropping off and picking up and going back and getting people, but now with the extra seating, we’re going to be able to accommodate a lot more people.”

Because the old van fit only three people, the staff didn’t want to have more than one passenger at once in the vehicle due to the pandemic, but with the size of the new bus, it will be easier to keep more space between the passengers.

Not a whole lot of rides are being given right now because people are afraid to ride the bus in the middle of a pandemic, but Washington is hoping that will change, because she knows there is a need for it.

“Sometimes I don’t know if people even realize that we have that for the town. This one has lettering all over it, and I feel like it will kind of advertise itself and people will know we have this now. I want people to know we have this for them, and to utilize it as much as they can,” said Washington.

The lettering on the old van wasn’t very visible, so the wording on the side of the new bus is different.

“On the side of the bus, we put ‘Lisbon Active Agers,’” said Washington. She wanted to do away with the word senior because of what people tend to think when they see it. “It’s not as accepted as people used to think. Some people think ‘that’s just where people go to sit in rocking chairs.’ But no, it’s very active here.”

Tom Sparkman, first selectman of Lisbon, spoke with enthusiasm about the new bus. He said, “It certainly will be a good addition to the senior center. We’re very pleased to have it and we’re looking forward to having it in service for many years.”

Kelly Congdon lives in Groton.

The bus is available for use by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment call the senior center at (860) 376-2329. The Lisbon Senior Center is located at 11 Newett Road. Hours of operation are from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. The center is closed right now to the public, but they are still delivering meals on wheels and providing rides for residents.