State to continue local bus service

Mountain Home Community Transit will continue with the financial support of the Idaho Transportation Department and Treasure Valley Transit.

Mountain Home City Council met in special session last week with representatives of Treasure Valley Transit and Idaho Transportation Department last week to discuss the future of Mountain Home Community Transit.

Although the city has not included the program, which is still in the demonstration period, in its FY06 budget, the service will continue through the next fiscal year with the financial support of the Idaho Transportation Department and Treasure Valley Transit.

Treasure Valley Transit is the nonprofit organization that brings public transportation opportunities to the rural areas of Southwest Idaho through the Idaho Transportation Department Rural Grant Program.

The company offered a four-month demonstration period to implement a viable public transportation service, noting the continuance of the project would be contingent on matching funds of $54,600 from the city to match the ITD money to run the system. From the beginning city leaders expressed reluctance to commit taxpayer money without seeing the success or failure of the project. Council members understood they were under no obligation for funding the service by allowing the demonstration period. The demonstrations period did not begin until the city was already well into its budgeting process.

In addition to providing transportation service for the community, company representatives point to other considerations -- six jobs with benefits, fuel and maintenance being purchased locally.

"Ridership surpassed the initial projections and the community support for the local bus system has been overwhelming," said Terri Lindenberg, director of Treasure Valley Transit. She noted the reauthorization of the transportation bill in Congress assures that the rural funding is going to continue, and in fact is going to increase substantially over the next seven years.

Service hours and stops for both the city and air base routes will be the same as scheduled. If there are any suggestions for improvement or need for further information call Treasure Valley Transit at 463-9111.

"Mayor McNeal and the members of the city council expressed support of the transit program and acknowledged the value it brings to the community," said Lindenberg.

Bus fares are $.75 for adults, $.50 for youth 6-15 years, and $.25 for seniors and disabled.

The bus makes its loop through the city every half hour, starting at 6 a.m. and continuing through 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.