The Council on Aging’s van won’t just be for town elders anymore.

To solve a transportation dilemma regarding Bristol County Agricultural School students, Selectmen have asked the council for use of a 14-person passenger van.

“We were trying to find an alternative method that would be more economical, and what has been proposed is to have our van driver pick them up and bring them to Fairhaven,” Chair Naida Parker explained.

Originally, school officials planned to bus eight students from town to the school, located in Dighton.

The number unexpectedly changed to nine students last year, which forced town officials to fund a larger bus. A 12-passenger bus had been used. Town Administrator Rich LaCamera said its yearly operating cost of $44,000 proved expensive.

Instead the town is working on an agreement with the council to use its van and driver to save money.

Rochester students would be bussed to the Fairhaven’s Stop and Shop where a Bristol Agricultural High School bus would then pick them up for school.

LaCamera said he hopes the new bus service will start in February. Further discussions are set to take place between LaCamera and the council on Jan. 14.

“We just have to get together collectively and finalize everything,” LaCamera said.