MONROE, Wash. — It's a program that may be a victim of its own success.
So many people take advantage of the Transportation Assistance Program that it is running out of money.
Now, the program needs someone to step in and save it.
Born with cerebral palsy, Mike Gantala has been confined to a wheelchair for his whole life, but he does his best to make the most of every day.
"It's not easy," he says.
Mike depends on TAP's bus service to keep him connected with the world. He uses it to get to his two jobs at the local library and food bank.
Without it, he'd be mostly housebound.
His home in rural Monroe isn't on a normal bus route.
"It means a lot to me because I get to do things myself," says the 42-year-old.
The Transportation Assistance Program serves the poor, disabled and elderly in remote parts of Snohomish County -- averaging 80 to 90 people every day.
It's wildly popular, maybe too popular.
Ridership is up 128% since last year.
However, the federal grant that funds the program runs out at the end of April, about two months earlier than expected, due to such high demand.
That means Mike and hundreds more like him will lose their connection to the outside world.
"If this gets cut, they're taking my livelihood," says Mike, "and I won't have the independence that I deserve."
The TAP program connects people with medical appointments, social visits, employment and much more.
Homage Senior Services runs the project and is hoping donors will come forward to keep the critical lifeline running.
The program costs $12,000 per month to operate. Homage hopes the State Department of Transportation will provide a grant or some other benefactor will step in to save TAP.
Homage seeks $144,000 over 12 months in community donations while pursuing additional government funding. This funding will allow Homage to continue transporting people to essential services while preserving their independence.
“In order to keep the route and ridership at its current operating level, it costs $12,000 per month to run,” said Rose. “We know that is such a tall order to tackle. Our hope in raising awareness of this critical need is that area businesses, corporations, and the community will donate as they can.”
"It worries me," says Juli Rose, Homage's senior director of government programs. "People are in Gold Bar, Index. If they can't get food or to their doctor, what are they going to do?"
As for Mike, he clings to his independence, hoping it doesn't get taken away.
"What am I gonna do without it? I won't have any transportation."