HEIGHTS — SMART and the city dedicated a new, 32-foot bus to expand its senior transportation program Aug. 8.

The program provides more than 10,000 rides annually to residential seniors, non-residential senior club members and the disabled. The program allows seniors to live their lives independently by scheduling trips to shopping malls, cultural, arts and science events. Through SMART’s Community Partnership Program, these rides are able to be provided free of charge two to three times a week.

The service connects seniors throughout the area and, occasionally, on longer trips to Oakland and Monroe counties.

SMART partners with local communities and organizations through the CPP providing an additional layer of transit in Wayne County. Each CPP decides the use and parameters of the service for its residents. SMART is able to use federal and state funding to purchase the vehicles for the service.

“Community Partners are a necessary part of every community,” SMART General Manager John C. Hertel said. “Public transit keeps local economy thriving, but these additional forms of transportation ensure coverage to those who need it most. It’s always a pleasure to see communities expand their service so they can continue providing safe and reliable public transportation to their seniors.”

SMART supports local communities through its Community Credit Program which a portion of the transit property tax is returned to local communities for operating and capital purchases.