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Parma Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Parma Heights Secures Grant for New $144,000 Senior Center Bus
The city will use an 80/20 grant from NOACA to purchase a 2026 Ford E450 Bus to supplement its senior transportation fleet.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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The city of Parma Heights, Ohio is purchasing a new $144,000 bus for its senior center using a recently awarded grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). The 2026 Ford E450 Bus can transport 12 passengers and two wheelchairs or 14 ambulatory passengers, and features a wheelchair lift. The new bus will replace an older 2014 model in the city's fleet of four passenger transport vehicles used to support the senior center's daily programming.
Why it matters
Parma Heights' senior center provides essential transportation services to local seniors, allowing them to access doctors' appointments, grocery stores, places of worship, and banks. With the senior center's ridership growing, the new bus will help ensure seniors in the community can continue to access these vital services and maintain their quality of life.
The details
The city is paying for the $144,000 bus using an 80/20 grant from NOACA's 2025 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The grant will cover $115,436 of the cost, while Parma Heights will contribute $28,859. The new bus is expected to be delivered in early summer and will replace the oldest vehicle in the city's current fleet of four passenger transport buses.
- The city's senior center bus that went out of service about two years ago.
- The new 2026 Ford E450 Bus is expected to be delivered in early summer.
The players
Marie Gallo
The mayor of Parma Heights, Ohio.
Bob Sepik
The service director for the city of Parma Heights.
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
The regional transportation planning agency that awarded the grant to Parma Heights to purchase the new senior center bus.
What they’re saying
“We're very fortunate that we received this grant. It's a competitive process. We thank NOACA for awarding us.”
— Marie Gallo, Mayor (cleveland.com)
“Our senior center provides transportation to doctors' appointments, grocery stores, church services and banks. Having this mode of transportation for our seniors improves their quality of life.”
— Marie Gallo, Mayor (cleveland.com)
What’s next
The new 2026 Ford E450 Bus is expected to be delivered to the Parma Heights Senior Center in early summer.
The takeaway
This investment in a new senior transportation bus highlights Parma Heights' commitment to supporting the mobility and independence of its growing senior population. By securing grant funding, the city can provide essential services that allow older residents to access important community resources and maintain their quality of life.
