Local charities will have a chance to get some cheap transportation in the next couple of weeks through Island Transit’s surplus vehicle sale.

Officials at Island Transit are declaring 13 vehicles surplus this year. Vehicles available include five eight-passenger vans, three 15-passenger vans, four 21-foot buses and one 26-foot bus. All buses have wheelchair lifts.

Sandy Rubini, executive assistant for Island Transit, said local nonprofit organizations can enhance services when they acquire a surplus vehicle.

“We don’t want them going to the state auction. It doesn’t do any good for the community,” Rubini said.

To qualify to receive a surplus bus, a nonprofit organization has to show it serves Island County residents. Vehicles have to be used for transportation-related or emergency preparedness purposes and applicants have to show they have the ability to operate and maintain the vehicle.

Island Transit awarded 29 surplus vehicles when it last offered them in 2003.

Organizations interested in acquiring an Island Transit surplus vehicle can inspect them, by appointment, from May 2 through May 6. Applications are due May 6 and vehicles will be awarded Friday, May 20.

For more information about the program and application procedures, call Sandy Rubini at 678-7771. Information about the surplus vehicle program is available on www.islandtransit.org.