SANFORD — A potential reduction in bus service around Sanford has been averted because the city has allowed York County Community Action Corporation to draw down its annual contribution at one time, rather than quarterly. The drawdown has helped the agency bridge the gap while it awaits news on a foundation grant application and as it develops other methods to help fund the transit program, said YCCAC Transportation Director Connie Garber.

Earlier this year, the agency learned the state transportation department eliminated the Transit Bonus program, which had provided $30,522 to YCCAC to help fund Sanford Transit, as well as the WAVE and Sanford Ocean Shuttle.

The service currently operates 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or about 35 hours a week. Garber feared the loss of state funding might force the agency to cut the service to 20 hours a week, but that hasn’t happened. The city contributed $13,352 to the agency this year. YCCAC asked for more when it learned the state program had been eliminated, but the city stuck with its original amount. Receiving the original contribution in one lump sum has helped fund operating costs, Garber said.

Earlier this week, she said she expects to hear soon whether the grant has been approved.

Garber this spring said the bus service had 7,220 riders in the six months from Oct. 1 through March 31, the majority of whom ”“ 4,344 ”“ are senior citizens or disabled. The bus service provided 14,632 rides from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013, Garber said.