SPOT Comes to Bonners Ferry

For most of us in Boundary County, we take our car or truck for granted. We know if we need to go to the store or any other appointment that all we need to do is go out to the driveway, get in the vehicle and drive where we want. That is not true, however, for some residents in Boundary County, and it is more of a problem for our older population who need to get to doctor appointments. Up until April of this year, the solution was for friends and family to make every effort to arrange for rides, but thanks to the SPOT bus there is now an alternative.

SPOT is the Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit bus and operates free transportation for Sandpoint, Dover, Kootenai, Ponderay and now Bonners Ferry. This is a non-profit group that works with the Idaho Department of Transportation to make this helpful service available. Donations are accepted to help defray any additional costs incurred by maintenance for the bus, as the main funding for the service is a matching grant by both the State of Idaho and Area Agency on Aging.

The bus that is being used has been seen before as it is the same vehicle that was used for transportation for the Senior Center and the Boundary County Restorium. The bus was discontinued from use in 2013, and many local residents were very disappointed that they would not be able to use it to get around.

The bus is available for use in Boundary County on Wednesdays and Fridays as long as the trip is in town. Folks can now get a ride to the store or their doctor, and even to make a welcome appearance at the Senior Center. On Thursdays anyone needing a ride to the Sandpoint area and back for shopping, doctors appointments and other necessary things can call and schedule the bus for pickup.

In Boundary County the number you call to arrange transportation and to find out all the details of the service is 208.267.4740. Be sure to call at least one day in advance to ensure availability and so you won't miss an important appointment.

As it turns out, there was a lot of “behind-the-scenes” work that had to take place to bring the bus service back to Boundary County. County Commissioner Walt Kirby was a major proponent in making this a reality again, and the citizens of the county give him a big thank you.

So, if you are in need of a ride to your appointments or various other destinations, give the SPOT bus line a call at 208.267.4740 and reserve your “spot.”

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