COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — City leaders don’t appear keen to embrace a joint powers agreement for local public transit proposed by Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare.
Mayors and municipal staff convened Wednesday with county commissioners for their regular monthly meeting, during which they discussed the proposal.
“It really gives you an opportunity to have a seat at the table,” Mattare said.
Citylink serves Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens, Hayden, Huetter and Post Falls, with three routes and 81 stops. Program manager Chad Ingle said Citylink provides more than 100,000 rides annually. There is no fare to ride Citylink buses.
“It ensures our community members can easily access the services that they need,” Ingle said.
The program also provides paratransit services for people with ADA-eligible functional limitations that prevent them from using the fixed route buses. This is not medical transportation, but rather public transportation.
The Ring-a-Ride program offers additional service to service area residents over the age of 65 who have a physical mobility challenge and/or live where public transportation is insufficient, unavailable or inappropriate. Eligible riders can utilize up to eight round trips per month to access medical care, shopping and other destinations.
Citylink is primarily funded by Federal Transit Authority and Idaho Transportation Department grants. The program receives match funds from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Kootenai Health, as well as contributions from participating cities. The city of Coeur d’Alene will contribute the lion’s share of the municipal contributions, about $104,000, followed by Post Falls, which will give $41,000.
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