IDAHO NATIONAL TRANSPORTER Idaho
Transportation
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Idaho’s bus riders have a new online source for real-time transit information with the launch of 511 Transit – a new enhancement to the state’s 511 Traveler’s Services System. The new 511 Transit system, found at 511.idaho.gov, will debut with online schedule and route information for Citylink (Kootenai and Benewah counties), START Bus (Teton County), Pocatello Regional Transit and Northwestern Trailways. During coming months, the system will expand when seven additional transit providers will be added. “The 511 Traveler’s Services for transit systems is a huge step toward improving and coordinating transportation options across Idaho,” said Randy Kyrias, ITD public transportation administrator. Bus riders will enjoy benefits of a dedicated site online for bus transit systems, including:
“We are working closely with providers and local stakeholders across the state in an effort to provide more seamless and efficient travel options,” he said. “This system is the result of that collaboration.” Coordination at the community level helped bring the 511 Transit system online, explained Kyrias. He added that development costs were spread across all participating communities, dramatically reducing the direct costs to participating providers. “Individual providers could not have incurred the direct costs alone,” Kyrias said. “By sharing the costs, providers and bus riders around the state are able to enjoy the benefits at the same time groundwork is laid for development of future transit-related tools and resources.” What the providers say about the new transit option on 511 Traveler Services:
Participating public transportation providers START Bus: A Wyoming-based transit provider that is currently providing service from Driggs, Idaho, to Jackson, Wyoming. www.startbus.com Citylink: As an extension of the Coeur d’Alene Casino, Citylink serves the greater Coeur d’Alene area of about 35,0000 people with a deviated fixed-route program and is currently building a demand/response service. www.idahocitylink.com Northwestern Trailways: Northwestern Trailways operates both scheduled and charter bus service connecting Boise with Spokane, Seattle and numerous points in between. www.northwesterntrailways.com Pocatello Regional Transit: PRT serves the greater Pocatello area with both fixed and demand response service. PRT provides fixed-route service to Pocatello and its population of approximately 60,000. It provides comparable demand response service in Pocatello and rural service to another 63,000 people in the surrounding rural areas of Bannock, Bingham, Caribou and Franklin counties. www.pocatellotransit.com Published 3-19-2010 |