Northeast Washington Regional Transportation

Planning Organization
OORDINATED UBLIC RANSIT
UMAN ERVICES RANSPORTATION
LAN
September 15, 2014
S P ONS OR E D BY :
T RI - COUNTY ECONOMI C
DEVEL OPMENT DI STRI CT
AND
NORT HEAS T WAS HI NGT ON R E GI ONAL
T R ANS PORT AT I ON P L ANNI NG
OR GANI Z AT I ON
PREPARED BY :
I N AS S OCI ATI ON WI T H

TableofContents
1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................1
PlanningProcess....................................................................................................................................1
BenefitsofCoordination.......................................................................................................................2
AccomplishmentsSincePrior2010Plan...............................................................................................3
2. STAKEHOLDERS...............................................................................................................................................5
CommunityEngagementProcessOverview..........................................................................................5
RegionalLeadersSelfAssessmentSurvey............................................................................................5
2.2.1. MakingThingsHappenbyWorkingTogether.................................................................................5
2.2.2. TakingStockofCommunityNeeds.................................................................................................5
2.2.3. PuttingCustomersFirst...................................................................................................................6
2.2.4. MovingPeopleEfficiently...............................................................................................................6
StakeholderInterviews..........................................................................................................................6
2.3.1. TransportationProviders................................................................................................................6
2.3.2. SocialServicesAgencies..................................................................................................................8
2.3.3. Veterans........................................................................................................................................10
2.3.4. Employers......................................................................................................................................10
2.3.5. MedicalProviders.........................................................................................................................11
2.3.6. EducationandYouthOrganizations..............................................................................................12
2.3.7. GovernmentEntities.....................................................................................................................13
2.3.8. EmergencyManagementAgencies...............................................................................................13
2.3.9. MultiModalAdvocacyGroups.....................................................................................................15
CommunityMeetings..........................................................................................................................16
PublicSurveys......................................................................................................................................17
TitleVICompliance..............................................................................................................................22
3. DATAANDINFORMATION............................................................................................................................23
RegionalSocioEconomicProfile.........................................................................................................23
MajorOriginsandDestinations...........................................................................................................31
4. EXISTINGTRANSPORTATIONSYSTEMANDSERVICES...................................................................................33
IntercityBus.........................................................................................................................................34

FixedRouteandDeviatedFixedRouteServices.................................................................................34
DemandResponseServices.................................................................................................................37
VeteransTransportationSystem.........................................................................................................41
VolunteerNetworksandOtherHumanServicesTransportation.......................................................43
RegionalFleet......................................................................................................................................46
TransitFacilities...................................................................................................................................51
4.7.1. MaintenanceFacilities..................................................................................................................51
4.7.2. PassengerFacilities.......................................................................................................................51
ServiceDuplication,PartnersandCompetitors..................................................................................52
ServiceInterruptionsandInconsistencies...........................................................................................53
CurrentTechnologiesUsed.................................................................................................................53
HowPassengersGetInformation........................................................................................................53
5. UNMETTRANSPORTATIONNEEDS...............................................................................................................56
GapsinCoverage:UnservedandUnderservedAreas.......................................................................56
ServiceFrequencyNeeds.....................................................................................................................57
TransitFleetandFacilityNeeds...........................................................................................................59
TransitTechnologyNeeds...................................................................................................................59
MultiModalAccessNeeds..................................................................................................................60
NeedsofAgingandDisabledIndividuals.............................................................................................62
VeteransMedicalAccessNeeds..........................................................................................................62
TransitStaffingNeeds..........................................................................................................................64
5.8.1. IndividualTransitAgencyStaffingNeeds......................................................................................64
5.8.2. RegionalMobilityManager...........................................................................................................64
NeedforImprovedRiderInformationandIncentives........................................................................64
5.9.1. AccurateandEasilyAccessibleRiderInformation........................................................................64
5.9.2. CostBarrierforGoldLine..............................................................................................................65
5.9.3. InformationforMultiModalTravelersandVisitors.....................................................................65
5.9.4. CostEffectiveAccessforAgingandDisabledPeople...................................................................65
6. COORDINATEDSERVICEPLAN.......................................................................................................................66
RegionalTransitObjectives.................................................................................................................66
NearTermOperationalStrategies......................................................................................................67

6.2.1. InterCountyConnections.............................................................................................................67
6.2.2. JointProcurementStrategies........................................................................................................68
LongerTermOperationalStrategies...................................................................................................69
6.3.1. StreamliningFixedRouteOptionsforRiders................................................................................69
6.3.2. ServiceExpansionStrategies.........................................................................................................69
KeyPlanningandCoordinationInitiatives...........................................................................................70
6.4.1. MobilityManagementProgram....................................................................................................70
6.4.2. RiderInformation..........................................................................................................................71
6.4.3. RiderIncentives.............................................................................................................................72
6.4.4. FutureStudies...............................................................................................................................73
6.4.5. FundingNeeds..............................................................................................................................74
7. GLOSSARYOFACRONYMS............................................................................................................................78
AppendixMaterialsProvidedonCD.....................................................................................................................79

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1. INTRODUCTION
NortheasternWashingtonboastsmagnificentaestheticqualities,vastpubliclandswithoutdoor
recreationalopportunities,tribalcultures,andappealingsmalltownsthatmaketheregionadesirable
placetoliveandvisit.However,thehighlyruralnaturethatinspirestheseattractivequalitiesalsolimits
thelocaltaxbaseandmakesfundingfortransportationprojectsandserviceschallenging.Longtravel
distancesbetweencommunitycenters,populationswithspecialtransportationneeds,andmultiple
publicagenciesandprivateorganizationsprovidingtransportationservicesunderscoretheimportance
ofregionalcoordination.
TheNortheastWashingtonRegionalTransportationPlanningOrganization(NEWRTPO)ishousedwithin
theTriCountyEconomicDevelopmentDistrict,andprovidesregionaltransportationplanningforFerry,
StevensandPendOreilleCounties.ChiefamongNEWRTPOsresponsibilitiesarethedevelopmentof
shortandlongrangetransportationplans,andtheprovisionofacollaborativeregionalforumfor
prioritizationofstateandfederallyfundedtransportationinvestments.
TransportationfundingforthetricountyregioncomesfromtheFederalHighwayAdministration
(FHWA),theFederalTransitAdministration(FTA),WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation
(WSDOT),tribes,andlocalcitiesandcounties.Sincetribalandlocalagencyfundingislimited,theability
tosecurestateandfederaltransportationfundsfortheregionsroadways,transitservices,andnon
motorized(bicycleandpedestrian)facilitiesiscritical.Thedevelopmentofalocallycoordinatedhuman
servicestransportationplanisafederalrequirementtodocumenthumanservicestransportationneeds.
Coordinationbetweentransportationprovidersiskeytoensuringeffectivemethodsareusedtoaddress
thoseneeds.Acoordinatedplanmustbeinplaceinorderforregionaltransportationproviderstobe
eligibleforFTAandWSDOTtransitfunding.
PLANNINGPROCESS
NEWRTPOsCoordinatedPublicTransitHumanServicesTransportationPlan(CPTHSTP)isupdated
approximatelyeveryfouryears,tocoincidewithWSDOTsbiennialtransitfundingcycle.Outreachto
communitiesandstakeholders,alongwithevaluationofdemographicdataandinformationtoidentify
regionalneedsarekeytasksintheplanningprocess.Coordinationopportunitiesandstrategiesto
addressunmetneedsarekeyoutcomes.
Figure1showstheprocessusedforthisupdateoftheCPTHSTP.Theprocessincludedaperiodof
discoverywithtransportationstakeholdersandthegeneralpublictounderstandexistingconditionsand
identifyneedsandgapsforpublictransitandhumanservicestransportation,followedbydevelopment
ofstrategiestoaddressthoseneedsandgaps.

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NEWRTPOstransitcommitteeservedasthesteeringcommitteeforthisstudy,providingacentral
forumforconfirmationofneedsandgapsanddiscussionofpotentialcoordinationstrategies.

Figure1.CPTHSTPPlanningProcess

BENEFITSOFCOORDINATION
Likemanyotherruralregionsacrossthecountry,thetricountyareahaslimitedpublictransitoptions
andfewprovidersofspecialneedstransportation.Elderly,disabled,lowincomeandothersocio
economicallydisadvantagedpeopledependonaffordable,accessibletransportation.Withoutit,many
residentscannotaccessmedicalservices,shopfornecessities,gettowork,andmaybeisolatedintheir
homes.Thisconditioncanpresentahealthandsafetyriskforsome,andmayresultinseniorsor
disabledresidentsbeingforcedfromtheirhomesbeforetheyneedtobe,duetoalackoftransportation
options.
TheultimategoaloftheCPTHSTPprocessisregionalcollaborationtoprovidemoreeffective
transportationservicesforall,withattentiontotheneedsofthosewithspecialmobilityissues.
Workingtogether,publictransitagenciesandsocialservicesorganizationscan:
Findmoresourcesoffunding,helpingtoimprovethestabilityoftransportationservicesthat
mayhavebeendependentonasinglefundingsource.
Improvethecosteffectivenessoftransportationservices,helpingtomakelimitedresourcesgo
further.
Fillgapsintransportationservice.

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Improvemobilityoptionsforcommunitymembers,toenhancetheirqualityoflife.
Decreasethedirectcostsofprovidingtransportation,providingeconomicbenefitstotheir
communities.
ACCOMPLISHMENTSSINCEPRIOR2010PLAN
NEWRTPOscoordinatedplanwaslastupdatedin2010.Akeyinitiativefromthe2010planningeffort
wastheestablishmentofatransitadvisorygroupfortheregion,withinNEWRTPOscommittee
structure.AtricountytransitcommitteewascreatedasasubcommitteeofNEWRTPOsTechnical
AdvisoryCommittee(TAC)thatincludesfixedrouteandintercitytransitproviders,organizations
providingparatransitservices(suchasdialarideandMedicaidtransport),andsocialservicesagencies
interestedinimprovingtransportationservicesfortheircustomers.Meetings,whichhavebeenheld
approximatelyquarterly,haveallowedtransitprovidersandstakeholderstobuildregionalrelationships,
begintounderstandeachothersneeds,andworktoimprovedaytodaycommunicationand
coordination.
Withthetricountytransitcommitteeinplaceasafoundation,theregionisinagoodpositionto
accomplishthecoordinationinitiativesidentifiedinthisplan.
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2. STAKEHOLDERS
COMMUNITYENGAGEMENTPROCESSOVERVIEW
Tobetterunderstandhowtransportationservicesarecurrentlyusedandidentifypotentialneedsand
gaps,theprojectteamheldindividualtelephoneinterviewswithkeystakeholdersacrosstheregion.
Publicopenhouseswerealsoheldineachcountyandforeachtribe.Anonlinesurveywasprovided,
andtheprojectteamalsoconsolidatedandsynthesizedsurveyinformationthatwascollectedatcounty
fairsacrosstheregioninthefallof2013.Throughouttheprocess,NEWRTPOstransitcommittee
servedasaforumforregionaldiscussionandadisseminationpointforinformationonpublicinput
opportunities.
Asummaryofthestakeholderengagementprocessisprovidedbelow.
REGIONALLEADERSSELFASSESSMENTSURVEY
Attheonsetofthestudy,theprojectteampreparedaselfassessmentquestionnaireforregional
transportationagencystaffandpolicymakers.Questionsweredesignedtogaugethelevelof
satisfactionwithcurrentcoordinationpractices,andunderstandperceptionsaboutinstitutionaland
politicalsupportfortransitprograms.AcompletesummaryofresponsesisprovidedasAppendixF.
2.2.1. MAKINGTHINGSHAPPENBYWORKINGTOGETHER
Inmanyareasoftheregion,selfassessmentrespondentsindicatedthatthereissustainedsupportfor
coordinatedtransportationplanningamongelectedofficials,agencyadministratorsandother
communityleaders.Themajorityofparticipantsalsoindicatedthereisgrowinginterest,positive
momentumandcommitmentcoordinatinghumanservicestripsandmaximizingresources.
Mostrespondentsfeltitischallengingtoarticulateaclear,achievablevisionforthedeliveryof
coordinatedtransportationservicesintheregion.Whilehighlevelregionaltransitobjectiveswere
developedforthisCPTHSTPandpresentedinChapter6,transitleadersmayfindanannualstrategic
planningsessionhelpful.Respondentsalsoindicatedthereareopportunitiestoimproverelationships
withneighboringprovidersandstateagenciesbyworkingthroughthegoverningframeworkprovidedby
NEWRTPO.
2.2.2. TAKINGSTOCKOFCOMMUNITYNEEDS
Questionsinthisassessmentcategorydealtwithhowregionaltransitleadersareabletokeeptabson
stakeholderneeds.WhiletheCPTHSTPplanningprocessprovidescommunityoutreachopportunities

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everyfouryearsorso,ongoingcommunityinteractionintheinterimyearsisessentialtostayintouch
withtheneedsofhumanservicestransportationstakeholders.Responsestoquestionsabouthowwell
communityneedsaremonitoredanddocumentedweremixed,withatleasthalfoftheselfassessment
participantsindicatingadditionalactionisneeded.SuccessfulstrategiesusedbyKALTRANandRRCAto
integrateregularcommunityoutreachintotheiroperationalassessmentworkcouldpossiblybe
exportedasmodelsforotherprovidersintheregion.
Manyparticipantsalsoindicatedactionisneededtomaintainanuptodateinventoryofresourcesand
programsthatfundtransportationservices.FundingopportunitieswerereviewedwithNEWRTPOs
transitcommitteeduringthisCPTHSTPupdate,andacurrentinventoryisprovidedasAppendixE.
2.2.3. PUTTINGCUSTOMERSFIRST
Anoverwhelmingmajorityofselfassessmentrespondentsindicatedactionisneededtodevelopuser
friendlyandaccessibleinformationsourcesfortransitservices.Thisfindingwasconfirmedthrough
discussionsatnearlyeverytransitcommitteemeetingduringdevelopmentofthisCPTHSTP.
Developmentofmarketingandcommunicationsprogramsthatcanbeusedtobuildawarenessand
encouragegreateruseoftransitservicesisatopneedfortheregion.
2.2.4. MOVINGPEOPLEEFFICIENTLY
Questionsaboutefficiencyincludedwhethercoordinationstrategiesallowflexibleservicesthatappear
seamlesstocustomers,andwhethersupportservicesarecoordinatedtolowercostsandease
managementburdens.Selfassessmentresponsesweremixed.Followupdiscussionswiththetransit
committee,alongwithatechnicalreviewofcurrentoperationalcoordinationpracticesbytheproject
teamforthisCPTHSTPindicatesthatprovidersaredoingagoodjobofintegratingparatransitservices
withfixedrouteandintercityservices.Whiletheremaybeopportunitiestofurtherimprove
communicationandcoordinationbetweenproviders,strategiessuchasregionaldispatchcentersand
centralizedmaintenancefunctionswerenotconsideredpracticalfortheregioninthenearterm.
STAKEHOLDERINTERVIEWS
Stakeholderinterviewswereconductedwithcurrenttransportationproviders.Detailsofindividual
interviewsareattachedasAppendixA,andasynthesisoffeedbackisprovidedbelow.
2.3.1. TRANSPORTATIONPROVIDERS
Interviewquestionsfortransportationproviderscoveredgeneralcategoriesofservice,fleet,facilities,
technologyandinformation,staffing,partners,competitors,anddesiredoutcomesfromthe
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Representativesfromthefollowingtransportationproviderswereinterviewed:
KalispelTribeKALTRAN.PublictransportationproviderinPendOreilleCountyoperatedbythe
KalispelTribewithdeviatedfixedroutesbetweenIoneandCusickandCusicktoSpokane.
RuralResourcesCommunityAction(RRCA).Nonprofittransportationproviderwitha
combinationofdialarideanddeviatedfixedrouteswithinFerry,Stevens,andPendOreille
County.Inthetricountyarea,theareaagencyonagingreferselderlyanddisabledpeopleto
RRCAfortransportationassistance.
SpecialMobilityServices(SMS).Nonprofit,regionalMedicaidtransportationbrokerforFerry,
Stevens,andPendOreilleCounty,alsoofferingpubliclyavailablecommutershuttleservices
betweenNewportandSpokane,andothertransportationservicesinadjoiningcounties.
SpokaneTransitAuthority(STA).Publictransportationprovideroperatingwithinapublic
transportationbenefitarea(PTBA)locatedinSpokaneCounty.STAoperatesfixedrouteswithin
thecitiesofAirwayHeights,Cheney,MedicalLake,Millwood,LibertyLake,Spokane,and
SpokaneValley,aswellasportionsoftheunincorporatedcountysurroundingthose
municipalities.STAalsooperateaparatransitservice.
SpokaneTribeofIndiansMoccasinExpress.PublictransportationproviderinStevensCounty
operatedbytheSpokaneTribeofIndianswithdeviatedfixedrouteswithintheSpokaneTribes
reservationandalsoconnectingtoAirwayHeights.MoccasinExpressalsooffersparatransit
serviceforthegeneralpublic.
TravelWashingtonGoldLine.IntercitytransportationservicethatoperatesbetweenKettle
FallsinStevensCountyandSpokane.
TheColvilleConfederatedTribeDepartmentofTransportation(CCTDOT)operatesatransportation
routewithintheColvillereservationinFerryCountyinadditiontoacontractedtransportationprogram
withOkanoganCountyTransportationandNutrition(OCTN)thatconnectsOmakandCouleeDamin
FerryCounty.CCTDOTalsooperatesaferrybetweenIncheliumandGiffordinFerryCounty.
UnfortunatelyCCTDOTwasunabletoparticipateintheinterviewprocessduetolimitedstaffing.
Transportationproviderswereaskedtodescribetheircurrentfleet,anyunusedorunneededvehicles,
andassesswhethertheirfleetmeetstheircurrentneeds.QuestionsaboutADAaccess,bike
accommodations,andothervehicleamenitieswerealsocovered.Severalinterviewquestions
addressedthesuitabilityofexistingmaintenancefacilitiesandservices.Transportationproviderswere
alsoqueriedaboutcurrentpassengerboardingandalightinglocations,includingconvenience,easeof
identification,amenitiesandADAaccessibility.Thecurrentuseandeffectivenessoftechnologyfor
operationsanddatacollectionaswellasgettinginformationtocustomerswasalsoexplored.

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Transportationproviderswerealsoaskedtodescribeanycurrentpartnershipswithadjoiningproviders
orotheragenciesthatareinplacetomoreeffectivelyprovideservice.Theseexistingpublic
transportationsystemsservicesaresummarizedinChapter4.
Interviewquestionsfortransportationprovidersalsocoveredknowngapsincoverageandfrequencyof
service,potentialareasofserviceduplication,causesofinterruptedorinconsistentservice(ifany),and
theoverallpriorityofserviceissuesfortheiragency.Ingeneral,concernsabouttheavailabilityand
frequencyofcurrentservicewasacommonthemefortransportationproviders.Providingadditional
hoursanddaysofservice,extendingservicetopopulationcentersthatarepresentlyunderservedwere
topdesiresacrosstheboard.Specificneedsandgapsidentifiedbyserviceprovidersareincludedinthe
discussionofunmetneedsinChapter5.
COMPETITIVEPOSITIONFORFUNDING
Providerswereaskedtoidentifyopportunitiesthatcouldhelpimprovetheiragencyspositionfor
funding.BothRRCAandSMSnotedthatcontinuingtomeetgrantrequirements,aprimarypurposeof
thisCPTHSTPdocument,isimportant.KALTRANnotedthatoutreacheffortstounderstandneedsand
gapscanhelptomakethecaseforfundingandmakesureserviceremainsconsistentwithstakeholder
needs.ForMoccasinExpress,expandingservicetoconnecttootherrouteslikeSMS,GoldLine,and/or
PeopletoPeople,atransportationproviderinLincolnandAdamsCounty,couldhelptoincrease
ridershipandplacetheagencyinamorecompetitivepositionforfunding.GoldLinesuggestedjoint
marketingandcoordinationwithneighboringagencies.STAsuggestedfocusingongoodplanningwith
publicsupporttohelpimprovetheregionscompetitivepositionforfunding.
DESIREDOUTCOMESFORTHECOORDINATEDPLANNINGPROCESS
Desiredplanningoutcomesforpublictransportationprovidersincludewelldocumentedgapsinservice,
identificationofopportunitiesforimprovedcoordinationbetweenprovidersandwithotheragencies,
improvedsharingofinformationbetweenprovidersrelatedtotransitroutesandtimes,andstrategies
forprovidingeasytounderstandinformationaboutavailableservices.
2.3.2. SOCIALSERVICESAGENCIES
Regionalagenciesprovidingservicesforseniors,peoplewithdisabilities,andlowincomewere
contacted,including:
BuenaVistaNursingHome.Privateretirementcommunityofferingskilledlevelofcareand
assistedlivinginColville,WAofStevensCounty.
CareerPathServices.Nonprofitthatprovidesemploymentrelatedservicesaswellasaccessto
thecommunityforthosewithdevelopmentaldisabilitieswithinFerry,Stevens,andPendOreille
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KlondikeHillsAssistedLiving.AdultassistedlivingfacilitythatfunctionsundertheFerryCounty
MemorialHospitalinRepublic,WAwithinFerryCounty.
NEWAllianceCounsellingService.Offersoutpatientchemicaldependencyandmentalhealth
care.NEWAllianceisalsocontractedwithSMSasaMedicaidtransportationcontractorfor
FerryCounty.
PendOreilleCountyCounselingServices.Providesregionalmentalhealthservices,and
approachedtheprojectteamabouttheneedforawheelchairequippedvanfortheir
organization.
Interviewquestionsweredesignedtounderstandspecialmobilityneedsaroundtheregionandexplore
opportunitiestocoordinateridesandleveragefundingfrommultiplesources.
SocialservicesagenciesexpressedconcernaboutareasoflimitedserviceinveryruralpocketsinFerry
andPendOreilleCountiesforaccesstomedicalservices.Theneedfortaxiserviceswasexpressed,
especiallyintheKettleFallsandColvilleareas,asasafetynetforhumanservicestransportwhen
publiclyavailableservicesarenotrunning.PendOreilleCountyCounselingServicesalsoexpressly
identifiedtheneedforawheelchairequippedvanforpatienttransport.
Mobilityinwinterwhendrivingconditionsaredifficultwasanotedpriorityforthoseserving
disadvantagedpopulations.
AgingandLongTermCareofEasternWashington(ALTCEW)servesastheareaagencyonagingforthe
tricountyarea.ALTCEWisresponsiblefordeterminingtheneedsofagingadultsandplanningservices
tomeettheneeds;coordinatingthedeliveryofservicesthatarealreadyoperatinginthearea;searching
fornewsourcesoffunds;providingleadershipandadvocacy;administeringfederalandstatedollars
availableforagingservicesinthecommunity;providingtechnicalassistancetoserviceprovidersand
otheragencies;anddevelopingcommunityeducationprogramstokeepthecommunityinformedasto
whatprogramsandservicesareavailable.
TheprojectteamreviewedtheALTCEWsAreaPlan,whichoutlinesregionalstrategiesforprovidinga
comprehensiveandcoordinatedsystemofservicesforolderpeopleandthoseinneedoflongtermcare.
Changeoflifeissuesaspeopleagebringemotional,physicalandfinancialchallenges,includinglossof
theabilitytodriveormaintainacar.Reducedmobilityputsolderindividualsathigherriskofpoor
healthduetolossofaccesstogoods,servicesandsocialcontact.
ALTCEWstransportationgoalsincludesupportingthesuccessfulbuildingofagingfriendlycommunities
byincreasingtheavailabilityoftransportationandotheraccessserviceoptionsforolderpersonsand
individualswithdisabilities.Inthetricountyarea,ALTCEWrefersolderpeoplewhoareunabletodrive
andhavenoothermeansoftransportationtoRRCAforassistance.

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2.3.3. VETERANS
Thefollowingorganizationswereinterviewedforanunderstandingoftransportationneedsspecifically
forveterans.
PendOreilleCountyVeteransAssistanceProgram.VeteransassistanceprogramforPend
Oreilleresidentsthatprovidesshorttermassistancetoveterans.
StevensCountyVeteransReliefProgram.Providesshorttermemergencyfinancial
assistanceforveteranswithinStevensCounty.
RRCA.WhileRRCAisnotspecificallyaveteransserviceorganization,theFerryCounty
CommissionersofficedirectedtheprojectteamtotheRuralResourcesstaffinRepublicfor
anunderstandingofveteranstransportationneedsinFerryCounty.Inaddition,Rural
ResourceswasrecentlyawardedagrantfromtheUSDepartmentofVeteransAffairs(VA)to
purchaseanewvanforveteranstransportinFerryCounty.
AmericanLegionColville.OperatesavolunteervanbetweenColvilleinStevensCountyand
theSpokaneVAMedicalCenter,incoordinationwiththeVeteransTransportationService
andDisabledVeteransofAmerica.
Eachcountymanagesasmallfundmanagedtoassistveteranswithshorttermfinancialemergencies.
Maximumassistanceamountsrangefrom$300to$500perveteranperyear.Fundingistypically
providedforhelpwithrent,utilities,food,gasandtransportationtoandfrommedicalappointments.
Foraccesstoshopping,socialservices,employmentandrecreationalopportunities,theneedsof
veteransareessentiallythesameasotherstakeholdersacrosstheregion.However,veteranshavea
uniqueneedforaccesstoVAapprovedmedicalfacilities,andtransportationoptionstoaddressthis
specificneedarecurrentlylimited.Anoverviewofexistingveteranstransportationservicesinthetri
countyareaisprovidedinChapter4.
2.3.4. EMPLOYERS
Theregionslargestemployerswerecontactedandaskedtoparticipateintheinterviewprocess.Of
thosecontacted,thefollowingemployersagreedtobeinterviewedfortheproject:
BoiseCascade.Manufactureofwoodproductswithapproximately375employeeslocatedin
ArdenandKettleFallsinStevensCounty.
VaagenBrothersLumber.Lumberandbyproductsmanufacturerwithapproximately160
employeeslocatedinColville,WAinStevensCounty.

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Employerswereaskedquestionsrelatedtotheiremployeeandcustomertransportationneeds,and
currentuseofavailablepublictransportationservices.Opportunitiesforcoordinationbetween
employersandtransitproviderswerealsoexplored,suchassharedvehiclesformultiplepurposesand
employersponsoredprogramstoencouragetransituse.

Limitedpublictransportationoptionsintheareatypicallymeansemployeesneedtheirownreliable
transportation.Forpublictransportationtobeofbenefittoemployees,servicethatrunscloseto
employeesitesandmatcheswithemployeeshifttimeswouldbeneeded.Publictransportationoptions
suchassmallcommutervansorbusesmaybebeneficialtoBoiseCascadeforgrouptrainings;however
theydohavecompanyvehiclesthathavebeenusedforthispurposeinthepast.

Bothemployershavecompanyvehiclesforworkpurposesbutneitherhavecompanysponsored
transportationprogramsfortheirsitestoencourageorsubsidizepublictransportation,vanpoolor
carpooling.Neitheremployercoordinateswithothercompaniesoragenciestohelpemployeesfind
transportation;howeverBoiseCascadekeepsacopyoftheGoldLinescheduleontheirofficebulletin
boardforemployeesthatmayneedtotraveltoSpokaneformedicalappointmentsandotherpurposes.

Thelackofareliabletaxiservicewhichwouldofferflexibletransportationoptionswasidentifiedasthe
highestunservedneedfortransportation.TheKettleFallsareahadataxiserviceatonetimethathas
beendiscontinued.
2.3.5. MEDICALPROVIDERS
Medicalproviderswhoagreedtobeinterviewedfortheprojectincluded:
FerryCountyPublicHospital,locatedinRepublic,WAinFerryCounty.
ProvidenceMountCarmelHospital,locatedinColville,WAinStevensCounty.
ProvidenceSt.JosephsHospital,locatedinChewelah,WAinStevensCounty.
MultipleattemptstocontactthebusystaffatSpokaneVeteransMemorialHospital,akeymedical
destinationfortheregion,werealsomade.Whilehospitalrepresentativesdeclinedtoreturncallsfor
aninterview,arepresentativefromthehospitalstransportationserviceofficedidattendaworkshop
withthetransitprovidersinJuly,2014.
MedicalprovidersfromtheProvidenceHospitalsidentifiedtheirtoptransportationneedas
transportationbetweentheiremergencyroomtopatientshomes,nightsandweekendsafterpatients
aredischargedfromthehospital.Theabilitytotravelafter4:00PMisimportantandsomepatients
needtransportationthatcanaccommodatewheelchairs.FerryCountyPublicHospitalnotedthat
affordabletransportationoptionsarelackingtoconnectpeopleinrurallocationstomedicalservicesin

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Republic,Colville,aswellasSpokanewheretheymayneedtogoforspecialtyservices.Nonemergency
medicaltripsaretypicallyduringtheworkweekintheday.Theimportanceofpublictransportationis
especiallyhighinwintertimeforthosethatareuncomfortabledrivinginwinterconditions.Allofthe
medicalprovidersservepeopleofallages.Manywithlowincomestruggletopayfortransportation,
whichimpactstheirabilitytoreceivehealthcare.
BothProvidencemedicalproviderscoordinatewithCatholicCharitiesandRRCAtoassistpatientswith
transportationservices.FerryCountyHospitalcoordinateswithSMStohelpMedicaidclientsaccessthe
hospital.Previously,theycoordinatedwithalocaltaxiserviceaswellbutthetaxiserviceisnolongerin
operation.
Thehighestunservedneedformedicaltransportationwasidentifiedasaccesstoaffordable,reliable,
andsafetransportationforpersonswithlowincomeorwhoareelderly.Needsareespeciallysignificant
withintheFerryCountyarea,includingontheColvilleConfederatedTribesreservation.
2.3.6. EDUCATIONANDYOUTHORGANIZATIONS
Thefollowingorganizationsprovidingeducationalopportunitiesandyouthprogramsagreedtobe
interviewedfortheproject:
WashingtonStateUniversity(WSU)Extension.ExtensionofWashingtonStateUniversity
offeringcontinuingeducation,noncreditclassesincludingyouthprograms,workshops,and
seminarslocatedinRepublic,WAinFerryCounty.OtherextensionsitesincludeNespelem,
WAinOkanaganCounty;Colville,WAinStevensCounty;andNewport,WAinPendOreille
County.
SpokaneCommunityCollege(SCC)Extension.ExtensionofSpokaneCommunityCollege
offeringcreditandnoncreditclassesinColville,WAinStevensCounty.
Thecollegeextensionsstressedtheimportanceofaccesstoaffordablepublictransportationforboth
youthandadults.Mostofthepeopletheyservehavelittledisposableincomeforadditional
transportationtrips.Tripsarecarefullyplannedduetothehighcostoftravelforruralresidents.People
typicallygointotownonceperweekormonthandcarpoolingisapopularstrategyintheareatosave
money.
IntervieweesnotedthatpeopletypicallytraveltoOmak,ColvilleandSpokaneformajorshopping,
supplies,andmedicalservicesaswellastoColvillefortheSCCextension,whichofferscreditandnon
creditcourses.TheSCCExtensionspecificallynotedthatincreasedtransportationservicesforlocal
residentswithinthecityofColvillewouldbebeneficial,sincethecurrentserviceisinfrequentandis
primarilyfocusesontravelbetweencommunitiesontheUS395corridor.

|13
Thehighcostoftravelandlackoftransportationoptionscanbeabarriertoaccessingtheeducational
andyouthprogramstheextensionoffers.Childrenthatridethebushomeafterschoolareunableto
stayforafterschoolprogramsoractivitiesunlesstheirparentscancomepickthemup.Inadditionto
affordablepublictransportation,intervieweesexpressedaneedforaschoolbusthattakeschildren
homelaterintheeveningsothattheyhaveequalopportunitytoparticipateinafterschoolprograms
andactivities.
Roadwayimprovements,includingsafer,widershouldersanddesignatedpickupanddropofflocations
forcarpoolersweredesiresexpressedbyinterviewees.
2.3.7. GOVERNMENTENTITIES
GovernmentagencieswereengagedduringtheplanningprocessusingNEWRTPOsexistingboardand
committeestructure.NEWRTPOsPolicyBoardandTACincludeelectedandstafflevelrepresentatives
fromlocalgovernmentalandtribalagenciesthroughoutallthreecounties.BoardandTACmembers
wereaskedtotaketheinitialselfassessmentsurveyonline,andinvitedtoattendpublicopenhouses
aswellastransitcommitteediscussionsatkeypointsduringthestudy.Feedbackfrommembersof
bothgroupsisincludedintheregionalselfassessmentsummaryprovidedinAppendixF.
2.3.8. EMERGENCYMANAGEMENTAGENCIES
Emergencymanagementagenciesfromthethreecountieswerecontactedandinterviewedregarding
coordinationwithtransitagenciesintheeventofanemergency.Thepurposeoftheinterviewswasto
understandhowindividualsrequiringtransportationassistanceareinformedofemergenciesand
evacuatedfromadisasterarea.

Representativesfromthefollowingorganizationsparticipatedintheinterviewprocess:

FerryCountySheriffsOffice
PendOreilleEmergencyPreparednessProgram
StevensCountySheriffsAmbulance
CityofColvilleSafetyTrainingProgram
Ingeneral,emergencymanagementagenciesdependonlocalschooldistrictsiftransportation
assistanceisneeded.Someemergencymanagerswerenotawareofanytransitagenciesinthearea.
Futurecoordinationbetweentransitagenciesandemergencymanagementagenciesisrecommendedto
increaseresources.

Inassociationwith

|14
FERRYCOUNTY
TomWilliams,UndersheriffatFerryCountySheriffsOffice,providedthefollowinginformation
regardingtransitcoordinationinFerryCounty:

FerryCountyhasaComprehensiveEmergencyManagementPlan(CEMP)andanAllHazard
MitigationPlan.
Schoolbuses,ambulances,andpolicecarsareavailabletoevacuatepeopleinanemergency.
ResponsibilitiesareoutlinedintheCEMP.
Pickup,dropoff,andstagingareasaredesignatedatthetimeoftheemergencydependingon
typeandlocationoftheemergency.
Evacuatedindividualsareputonalistandmonitored.
Resourcesmaybepulledfromallthreecountiesifneeded.
CommunicationtothepublicisperformedthroughFacebook,informationboardsatpostoffices
andgrocerystores,radio,television,anddoortodoorvisitswhereneeded.
AmateurRadioEmergencyService(ARES)isusedifneededwhenothercommunicationsare
down.
Nodesignatedemergencyroutesexistduetothelimitednumberofroutesintoandoutofthe
county.
Federalfundingisreceivedeachyearandusedforplanning.
PENDOREILLECOUNTY
JoanneBoggsofPendOreilleEmergencyPreparednessprovidedthefollowinginformationregarding
transitcoordinationinPendOreilleCounty:

PendOreilleCountyhasaCEMPandanAllHazardMitigationPlan.
Schoolbusesareavailabletoevacuatepeopleinanemergency.Noformalagreementexists,but
schoolsarepartoftheLocalEmergencyPlanningCommittee.
Disasterdrillsareperformedeveryyearastraining.
Pickup,dropoff,andstagingareasaredesignatedatthetimeoftheemergencydependingon
typeandlocationoftheemergency.
Trackingofevacuatedindividualsisnotdetailedintheplans.
CommunicationtothepublicisperformedthroughNIXLEemergencynotificationsystemwhich
sendstextsoremailstoindividualswhohavesignedupforit.EmergencyAlertSystemisalso
used.
Pagingnotificationbyradioto300400emergencyrespondersisusedifneededwhenother
communicationsaredown.RespondersthenusePublicAddresssystemstoalertcitizens.
Designatedemergencyroutesareidentifiedinthecomprehensiveplan.

|15
Federalfundingisusedforsalariesandplanning.
STEVENSCOUNTY
BillBuscher,OperationsManageratStevensCountySheriffsAmbulance,andRyanPowers,
Safety/TrainingManagerattheCityofColville,providedthefollowinginformationregardingtransit
coordinationinStevensCounty:

StevensCountyiscurrentlycreatinganEmergencyManagementPlan.
ColvilleSchoolDistrictbusesareavailabletoevacuatepeopleinanemergency.Noformal
agreementexistsatthistime.
Schoolbuseshavebeenusedforatrainingdrill,buthavenotbeenneededforanemergency.
Trackingofevacuatedindividualsisperformed,butnowrittenplanisinplace.
Aprocedureforcommunicationtothepublicisnotyetinplacebutwillbepartoftheplan.
Radiodispatchisusedtocommunicatewithemergencyresponderswhenother
communicationsaredown.
Somedesignatedemergencyrouteshavebeenidentified.
State/Federalfundingisnotusedatthistime.
2.3.9. MULTIMODALADVOCACYGROUPS
Localcommunitymembersandstatebicycleandpedestrianorganizationrepresentativeswereaskedto
provideinputregardingpedestrianandbicycleaccesstotransit.LynnOConnor,aregionalcycling
enthusiastwhoisactiveinNEWRTPOsplanningprograms,assistedtheprojectteamwithoutreachto
activetransportationstakeholders,collectingfeedbackonopportunitiestoimprovenonmotorized
accesstotransit.Thefollowingsuggestionswereprovidedtoimprovepedestrianandbicycleaccessand
accommodations:
Improvepedestrianaccessibilitytotransitstops
Improvepedestrianaccommodationsattransitstops
Accommodatebicyclesontransit
Providebikeparking/storageattransitstops
Providetrainingandinformationtobusdriversandbicyclists
Promotetransitinbicycletourism
Improvebicyclefacilitiesthataccesstransitstops

FurtherdetailonmultimodalaccessneedsisincludedintheneedsandgapsdiscussioninChapter5.

Inassociationwith

|16
COMMUNITYMEETINGS
Sixcommunityopenhousemeetingswereheldfortheproject;oneeachinFerry,StevensandPend
Oreillecountiesforthegeneralpublic,andoneeachfortheKalispelTribe,ColvilleConfederatedTribes
andSpokaneTribe.Thepurposeofthemeetingswastocollectinputontransportationneedsandgaps,
andtoconfirmkeyoriginsanddestinationsidentifiedbytransportationprovidersandtheprojectteam.
Meetingswerepubliclynoticedandadvertisedinregionalnewspapersandonlocalradio.Flyerswere
distributedaroundtheregionbytransitprovidersandotherNEWRTPOmemberagencies.Inaddition,
theprojectteamcontactedhumanservicesorganizationsandotherstakeholdersbyphonetoadvise
themofupcomingmeetingsandencourageattendance.Refreshmentswereprovidedateachmeeting.
Approximately128peopleattendedcommunitymeetingsfortheproject.Theprojectmeetingforthe
KalispelTribewaspairedwithaplannedKALTRANeventandattendanceatthismeetingnotably
outpacedtheothermeetings.Over70attendeesattendedtheKALTRANmeeting,whichistestimonyto
theeffectivenessandsuccessofKALTRANsongoingcommunityoutreachprogram.
Meetingattendeesweregivenabriefpresentationabouttheprojectandaskedtoprovidewritten
commentsontransportationneeds.Brochuresandhandoutswithinformationonaccessinganonline
publicsurveyfortheprojectweredistributed.Attendeesalsoparticipatedinamapdotexercise
facilitatedbytheprojectteam.Participantsplacedcoloreddotsonlargemapstoindicatewherethey
live,work,shopandrecreate.Thisinformationwasusedtoconfirmidentifiedserviceneeds.Atthe
PendOreilleCountymeetingin
Newport,attendancewas
relativelylight,soRRCA
representativestooktheregional
mapbacktotheirNewportoffice
togatheradditionalfeedback
fromtheircustomers.

|17

ThepublicinvolvementplanfortheCPTHSTPwhichdetailstheprojectteamsoutreachapproachis
providedinAppendixA,alongwiththeprojectstakeholderlist,communitymeetingmaterialsandpublic
commentsreceived.
PUBLICSURVEYS
Anonlinepublicsurveywasadministeredfortheprojectandresultsareincludedinthepublic
involvementprogramdocumentationinAppendixA.Theprojectteamalsoreviewedandsynthesized
responsesfromamuchlargerregionwidesurveyperformedbythetricountytransitcommitteeat
variousfestivalsandfairsinthesummerandautumnof2013.Thissurveyyieldedover325responses
andhadfairlywellbalancedgeographicrepresentation.Salientfindingsfromthe2013surveyare
providedbelow,andthecompleteresultsareprovidedinAppendixC.
Peopleprimarilytakepublictransportationinthetricountyareaforreasonsofadvancedage,
disabilitiesandfinancialfactorsasshowninFigure3.
Figure2MapDotExerciseatCommunityMeetings

Inassociationwith

|18
Figure3.ReasonsforUsingPublicTransportation

Manyrespondentswhochoseotherelectednottoprovideareason;howeverbasedonthosewhodid
commentitcanbeinferredthatrespondentsselectedthisanswerprimarilyiftheydidnotneedpublic
transportation.Afewadditionalcommentswereoffered,rangingfromthedesiretoreduceexpenses,
theconvenienceofnothavingtodriveduringwinterconditions,andtheenvironmentalbenefitsof
takingtransit.
Ford,NewportandtheSuncrest/NineMileareatoppedthelistoftraveloriginsamongsurvey
respondentsasshowninFigure4.SpokaneandColvilleweretopregionaldestinationsforsurvey
respondents,asshowninFigure5.ThemagnitudeofresponsesindicatingSpokaneasanimportant
destinationisbothnotableandreasonableastheconcentrationofurbanservicesinSpokanetendsto
drawstripsfromallsurroundingruralareas.

|19
Figure4.TopSurveyRespondentTravelOrigins

Inassociationwith

|20
Figure5.TopSurveyRespondentTravelDestinations

Shoppingandtravelformedicalreasonstoppedthelistofreasonswhypeopletaketransportationin
thetricountyareaasshowninFigure6.Travelforemploymentandforrecreationwerealsosignificant
trippurposes.

|21
Figure6.ReasonsforTakingPublicTransportation

Figure7indicatesweekdayservicewasgenerallymoreimportanttosurveyrespondentsthanweekend
service,whichmaybebecausemanybusinessandmedicaldestinationsareaccessibleonlyonbusiness
days.However,SaturdayandSundayservicemayalsobevaluableforaccesstoculturalevents,
recreationalopportunitiesandinteractingwithfamilyandfriends.Serviceinthemorningwasgenerally
consideredtobeofgreaterimportancethanafternoonorevening,asshowninFigure8.
Figure7.DaysofServiceNeeded

Inassociationwith

|22
Figure8.ServiceTimePeriodsNeeded

The2013publicsurveyperformedbythetransitcommitteebycollectinginputfromregionalevent
attendeeswasasuccessfuloutreachstrategyforcapturinginformationongeneralpublictravel
behaviors.Theoutreachmethodaccessedalargeraudiencethanonlineandothersurveys
administeredforthisandpriorCPTHSTPupdates,andisthereforearecommendeddatacollection
methodforfutureplanupdates.Additionalquestionscouldbeincluded,tobettergaugepublic
awarenessandunderstandingofavailableservices,andtoassesstheeffectivenessofpublic
transportationmarketingstrategies.Suggestedfuturesurveyquestionsareprovidedforthetransit
committeesconsiderationinAppendixD.
TITLEVICOMPLIANCE
TitleVIoftheCivilRightsActprohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,colorandnationaloriginin
programsandactivitiesreceivingfederalfinancialassistance.Indevelopingaplanforcoordinated
humanservicestransportation,theimportanceofanopenandaccessiblestakeholderengagement
processcannotbeunderstated.Thepublicinvolvementplanandoutreachstrategiesusedforthis
projectweredesignedtoassurenondiscriminationinaccordancewithTitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof
1964,theCivilRightsRestorationActof1987,andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.
Meetingannouncements,posters,brochuresandadvertisingmaterialsallcontainedanoticethat
specialaccommodationortranslationserviceswereavailableforthosewhomayneedthem.Avariety
ofparticipationstylesandopportunitieswereoffered,includingonlinetools,socialmedia,andin
personmeetings.Projectinvolvementstrategiesincludedtargetedoutreachtotribalpopulationsand
organizationsrepresentingsocioeconomicallyandphysicallydisabledpeople.EvidenceofTitleVI
compliancemaybefoundthroughoutthepublicinvolvementprogrammaterialsprovidedinAppendix
A.

|23

3. DATAANDINFORMATION
REGIONALSOCIOECONOMICPROFILE
Longdistancestoreachjobs,shopping,medicalandotherdestinationsinthetricountyregion,
combinedwithspecialtransportationneedsofthosewithadvancedage,disabilities,orlackofincome,
makemobilityissuesespeciallychallenging.
Figure9throughFigure13showtheoveralldemographiccontextforNEWRTPOsplanningarea.
Collectively,Ferry,StevensandPendOreilleCountiescomprise9.4%ofthelandareaofWashington
State,buthavelessthan1%ofthestatespopulation.
Figure9.LandAreavs.PopulationintheTriCountyRegion

Source:USCensusEstimates,2012 Source:USCensusEstimates,2012

ComparedtostatewideaveragesinWashington,thetricountyregionalsohasloweraverageincomes
andgreaterpercentagesofelderlyandpersonsbelowthepovertylevel.Asignificantportionofthe
regionspopulation12%areveterans.

Inassociationwith

|24
Figure10.PercentofPopulation65YearsandOverFigure11.ComparisonofPerCapitaIncome
Source:USCensus,20082012averages Source:USCensus,20082012averages

Figure12.PersonsbelowPovertyLevelFigure13.VeteranPopulations
Source:USCensus,20082012averagepovertylevelandveteranpopulations;2013totalpopulationestimate.

ThreeAmericanIndiantribeshavelandswithinthetricountyarea.Populationstatisticsforfederally
recognizedtribesarecollectedbytheUSCensusBureauundertheUSDepartmentofCommerces
AmericanIndianandAlaskaNativePolicy.Tribalpopulationinformationisavailableatthestaterather
thancountylevel.Figure14showsthetotalpopulationwithinthestateofWashingtonthatis
attributedtoeachtribewithlandsinthetricountyregion.Whilenotatruerepresentationofthe
numberoftribalmembersactuallylocatedwithinthetricountyarea,thechartprovidessome
perspectiveontherelativesizesoftheoveralltribalpopulations.Itshouldbenotedthatwhiletheir

|25
triballandsincludethesouthernhalfofFerryCounty,theColvilleConfederatedTribeshaveamuch
largerpresenceinOkanoganCountytothewest,thanwithintheplanningareaforthisstudy.
Figure14.TribalPopulationComparison

Source:USCensusBureau,2010Census,specialtabulation.
NotethatvaluesshownrepresenttotalpopulationswithinWashingtonState,
notonlytribalmemberslivingwithinthetricountyplanningarea.

Sociodemographicdatawasmappedfortargethumanservicespopulations,forthepurposesofvisually
comparingthealignmentofexistingservicestoareasofpotentialneed.
Figure15showsoverallpopulationdensitiesbyCensustractacrossthefivecountyarea.Specific
densitiesofzerocarhouseholdsaswellaselderly,lowincome,mobilitylimited,youth,andveterans
populationsbyCensustractareprovidedinFigures16to21.
PointdataforthelocationofjobsandworkerswasalsoobtainedfromtheWashingtonDepartmentof
EmploymentSecurityandmappedtoevaluateserviceneeds.Figures22to24indicatethelocationand
numberofjobsintheregion,includingsubsetsforwhereworkers55andolderareemployedandwhere
jobswithlowearnings($1,250permonthorless)arelocated.

Inassociationwith

|26
Figure15.EstimatedPopulationDensity

Figure16.ElderlyPersons

|27
Figure17.MobilityLimitedPersons

Figure18.LowIncomePersons

Inassociationwith

|28
Figure19.YouthPopulations

Figure20.ZeroVehicleHouseholds

|29
Figure21.VeteranPopulationDensities

Figure22.TriCountyRegionJobs

Inassociationwith

|30
Figure23.JobsforWorkers55andOlder

Figure24.LowEarningsJobs

|31

MAJORORIGINSANDDESTINATIONS
MapdotexercisesusedatpublicmeetingsandpublicsurveysconductedconfirmedthatSpokaneaswell
astowncenterswithinthetricountyareaareimportantregionaldestinationsforemployment,
shopping,medicalservices,recreationandothertravelneeds.Figure25showslocalservice
destinationswithineachoftheregionslargercommunities.Traveloriginsaremuchmoredispersed,
reflectingrurallifestylesthatareprevalentinnortheasternWashington.
Figure25.ActivityCentersintheTriCountyRegion

KettleFalls
Chewelah

Inassociationwith

|32

Newport
Republic
Colville

|33
4. EXISTINGTRANSPORTATIONSYSTEMANDSERVICES
Typicalpublictransit/humanservicestransportationsystemsconsistofaninterconnectednetworkof
differentservicestylesandtypes.Figure26showscommonservicesinruralareasacrossthecountry,
includingthetricountyregion.
Figure26.RuralTransportationSystemOverview

InFerry,StevensandPendOreilleCounties,withtheexceptionoftheGoldLineintercitybus,most
regularlyscheduledservicesoperateasdeviatedfixedrouteservices.Customerscangenerallyrelyon
busserviceonpublishedroutes,atscheduledstoplocationsandtimes,butthebusalsohasthe
flexibilitytodeviateareasonabledistanceawayfromitsroutetopickupdialaridepassengerswith
specialneeds.
Thetricountyregionsfixedrouteserviceisbolsteredbyaprogramofdialarideandparatransit
(demandresponse)servicesofferedinallthreecounties.Insomeinstancesdialarideserviceisoffered
onlyonselectdaysoftheweek.Networksofvolunteerdriversofferingridesusingtheirownprivate
vehicleshelptofillgapsandprovideasafetynetforhumanservicestransportationneeds.

Inassociationwith

|34
INTERCITYBUS
TravelWashington,WashingtonStatesintercitybus
program,connectspeopleinruralcommunitiestocity
centerswheretheyhavegreateraccesstourbanservices
aswellasotherregionalandnationaltraveloptions.TheGoldLine,whichisTravelWashingtons
flagshipserviceinnortheasternWashington,isoperatedundercontractwithaprivatebuscompanyto
provideservicewithinStevensandSpokaneCounty.
Whileseveralotherfixedrouteandparatransitprovidersintheregionalsotravelbetweencitiesand
provideconnectionstoSpokane,theGoldLinehasauniquestandingandpurposeastheregions
intercitycarrier.TheGoldLinesprimaryservicecharacteristicisdirect,efficientservicebetweenurban
centerswithalimitednumberofinterimstops.
OperatingbetweenKettleFallsandtheSpokaneInternationalAirporttwicedaily(includingweekends)
theGoldLineconnectspeopletoothertransportationservicesthatextendfarbeyondthetricounty
region,includingtheSpokaneAirport;otherintercitymotorcoachlinessuchasGreyhoundand
NorthwesternTrailways;andAmtrak.
FIXEDROUTEANDDEVIATEDFIXEDROUTESERVICES
Figure27andTable1showcurrentfixedrouteprovidersandservicesofferedinthetricountyregion.
CCTDOT,MoccasinExpress,KALTRAN,RRCAandSMSallofferrouteswithregularlyscheduledservices
thatareopentothegeneralpublic.ThemostpopulatedareasinStevensandPendOreillecounties
haveintercityorfixedroutecoveragewithconnectionsintoSpokane.CoverageinStevensCountyalso
includesaneastwestroutewithintheSpokaneTribesreservationoperatingMondaythroughFriday,
whichconnectssouthonceaweektoAirwayHeightsinSpokaneCounty.CoverageinPendOreille
CountyincludesservicefromIonetoSpokane.FixedroutecoverageinFerryCountyincludesservice
betweenIncheliumandNespelem(inOkanoganCounty)aswellasdailyferryserviceatKellerand
betweenIncheliumandGifford.
Fixedrouteserviceisavailablefourtofivedaysaweekinsomecorridors.Otherroutesarelimitedto
twotothreedaysperweek,whichprovidescriticaltravelopportunitiesfortheareasmostsocio
economicorphysicallydisadvantagedresidents,butisnotfrequentenoughtobeconvenientforgeneral
communitytransportation.Weekendserviceisnotprovided.
Itisnotablethatmostfixedrouteservicesintheregionoccurbetweencommunities,anddonotoffer
significantmobilitywithinindividualcitiesandcommunities.Forexample,theregionslargesturban
area,Colville,lacksalocalfixedroutecirculatorconnectingColvillesresidentialareastoitscentral
businessandservicedistrict.

|35

Figure27.ExistingIntercity,FixedandRouteDeviatedServices

Table 1. INTERCITY, FIXED AND DEVIATED FIXED ROUTE SERVICE

Gold Line
Confederated Tribes of Colville
Reservation Transportation
Shuttle
KALTRAN
Rural Resources Community
Action (RRCA)
Moccasin Express Special Mobility Services (SMS)
Agency Type Private for Profit
Intercity Transportation Provider
Tribal Public Transportation Provider Tribal Public Transportation Provider Private Non-Profit Transportation
Provider
Tribal Public Transportation Provider Private Non-Profit Transportation Provider,
Medicaid Broker
Type of Service Fixed Route

Deviated-Fixed Route

*Omak/Nespelem/Coulee Dam route
allows point deviation along HWY 155 if
arranged by 5:00 PM the day before.
Deviated-Fixed Route

*Deviates up to 3/4 of a mile from fixed
route or within boundaries of Kalispel
Indian Reservation.
Deviated-Fixed Route Deviated-Fixed Route

*Deviates up to 3/4 of a mile from
fixed route.
Deviated-Fixed Route

*Deviates up to 1-2 miles from fixed route.
Eligibility General public General public General public General public; Head Start children General public General public; Medicaid
Service Area Stevens/Spokane County
Gold Line: Kettle Falls, Colville, Arden,
Addy, Chewelah, Loon Lake, Deer Park,
and Spokane.

Okanogan County
Omak/Nespelem/Coulee Dam Route:
Omak, Nespelem, and Coulee Dam.

*This route is a partnership contracted
through Okanogan County Transportation
and Nutrition (OCTN).

Ferry/Okanogan County
Inchelium - Nespelem Route: The
Confederated Tribes of Colville between
Nespelem and Inchelium.
Pend Oreille County
Ione Route: Cusick and Ione.

Pend Oreille/Spokane County
Spokane Route: Cusick, Newport,
Chattaroy, and Spokane.
Stevens County
North South Commuter Bus: Kettle Falls,
Colville, and Chewelah.

Pend Oreille County
Pend Oreille Newport/Usk Flexible Fixed-
Route Bus: Newport, Usk, and Cusick.
Stevens/Spokane County
Chokecherry Run:
Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation
and Airway Heights.

Bitterroot Run:
Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation
and Airway Heights.
Pend Oreille County
Newport-Spokane: Newport and Spokane.

Spokane County
Davenport-Reardan-Spokane Shuttle:
Davenport, Reardan, and Spokane.

Deer Park-Spokane Shuttle VIA HWY 395:
Deer Park and Spokane.

Deer Park-Spokane Shuttle VIA HWY 2: Deer
Park, Chattaroy, and Spokane.
Hours of Operation Gold Line Route: Monday-Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:55 PM.

No service on New Years Day, Easter, July
4th, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas
Day.


Omak/Nespelem/Coulee Dam:
Monday through Friday 6:25 AM- 5:05 PM.

Inchelium to Nespelem:
Monday through Friday 5:45 AM - 6:00
PM.
Ione Route:
Monday and Wednesday 7:02 AM -
1:25 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 6:15
AM-5:05 PM.

Spokane Route:
Monday through Thursday 4:30 AM -
7:15 PM.
North South Commuter Bus Route:
Monday through Friday 6:55 AM -
8:45AM, 3:45 PM - 5:35 PM
(Colville/Kettle Falls), and 7:10 AM - 5:30
PM (Colville/Chewelah).

Pend Oreille Newport/Usk Flexible Fixed
Route:
Monday through Thursday 6:30 AM -
5:30 PM.
Chokecherry Run Monday through
Friday 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Bitterroot Run Monday through Friday
5:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

No service on New Year's Day,
Spokane Tribe of Indian's Anniversary,
Presidents' Day, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, STOI PowWow,
Labor Day, Native American Day,
Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Native American Heritage Day, and
Christmas Day.
Newport Shuttle: Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday 6:30 - 10:15 AM and
2:00 - 5:45 PM.

Davenport-Reardan-Spokane Shuttle
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 AM - 9:45
AM and 4:30 PM - 6:45 PM.

Deer Park-Spokane Shuttle VIA HWY 395:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 6:30 AM -
10:15 AM; 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM.

Deer Park-Spokane Shuttle VIA HWY 2:
Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 AM - 10:30 AM;
1:30 PM - 4:45 PM.
Advanced reservation required Yes, for Northbound stops in Loon Lake,
Addy, and Arden, and Northbound and
Southbound for Chewelah Casino stops
only.

Yes, for Omak/Nespelem/Coulee Dam
route arrange by 5:00 PM the day before.
Yes, for deviated service only. Advance
notice of 24 hours requested same day
pick-ups may be approved at dispatch's
discretion.
Yes, for deviated service only. Before
3:00 PM for the next morning and before
12:00 PM the day of if scheduling for the
afternoon for Newport or before 11:00
AM for Ferry County.
Yes, 24 hour advance notice for
deviated service only.
Yes, 24 hours in advance. Open seating
otherwise available as space allows.
Fares $5.00 to $25.00 one-way, $9.00 to
$48.00 round-trip. Children 11 years or
younger receive 25% discount. Children
under 2 ride free.
No charge

$1.00 one-way $0.50 one-way trip for the North South
Commuter Bus Route; Suggested
donation of $0.50 one-way for Pend
Oreille Newport/Usk Flexible Fixed
Route.
No charge No charge for Davenport-Reardan-Spokane
Route; $2.00 one-way or $3.00 roundtrip
for Deer Park-Spokane Via HWY 2 and HWY
395; $3.00 one-way trip for Newport-
Spokane route.
Annual Vehicle Hours 3,960 Unknown 3,738 5,513 (agency vehicles) 11,019 Unknown
Annual Vehicle Miles 133,926 Unknown 108,611 124,229 (agency vehicles) 147,175 Unknown
Annual One-Way Passenger Trips 5,432

500 (OCTN contracted route) 7,817 10,877 (agency vehicles); 4,883
(volunteer vehicles)
29,667 1,900 (Spokane-Newport)
Annual Operating Budget $363,890

$64,000 (OCTN contracted route) $292,822 $689,000 (Deviated-Fixed Route, Dial-A-
Ride, and Commuter Routes)
$502,479 $79,771 (Newport Shuttle)
Current Funding Sources FTA 5311, and passenger fares.

Tribal Funding and WSDOT. FTA Section 5311 (c) tribal set aside,
WSDOT, and BIA.
FTA Section 5311 (rural), FTA Section
5310 (vehicle purchases/service), Older
Americans Act Title IIIB, Washington
State Funds (paratransit/special needs,
rural mobility), donations, volunteer in-
kind service, and cost-sharing of
overhead by Head Start.
FTA Section 5311, FTA JARC (5316),
and WSDOT Rural Mobility Grants.
FTA Section 5311 (rural), WSDOT Rural
Mobility, Medicaid, and City of Deer Park.

|37
FixedrouteservicecoverageinFerryCountyincludes:
ThreeroundtripsoperatingbetweenIncheliumandNespeleminOkanoganCountyMonday
throughFriday.
FerryserviceinKelleroperatesdailyondemand.
FerryservicebetweenIncheliumandGiffordoperatesdailyonthehour.

FixedrouteservicecoverageinStevensCountyincludes:
FourroundtripsMondaythroughFridaybetweenKettleFallsandColville.
TworoundtripsMondaythroughFridaybetweenColvilleandChewelah.
ServicewithintheSpokaneTribalReservationisapproximatelysixroundtripsMondaythrough
Friday.

FixedrouteservicecoverageinPendOreilleCounty
includes:
ServicebetweenIoneandCusickoperates
tworoundtripsMondaythroughThursday.
ServicebetweenCusickandSpokane
operatesfourroundtripsMondaythrough
Thursday.
ServicesbetweenCusickandNewport
operatessixroundtripsMondaythrough
Thursdaywithsomestopsrequiringadvancereservations.
ServicebetweenNewportandSpokaneoperatestworoundtripsMonday,Wednesday,
ThursdayandFriday(excludingTuesdays).
DEMANDRESPONSESERVICES
RRCA,MoccasinExpressandSMSallofferpubliclyavailabledialaride(alsocalledparatransit)service.
RRCAsdialaridenetwork,showninFigure28,coversallthreecountiesandinmanyareasisthesole
publictransportationserviceoptionforruralresidents.Table2providesacompletesummaryof
demandresponseserviceinthetricountyregion.

Inassociationwith

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Figure28.RuralResourcesDialARidenetwork
Table 2. DEMAND-RESPONSE SERVICES

Rural Resources Community Action (RRCA) Special Mobility Services (SMS) Moccasin Express Northeast Alliance Counseling Services
Agency Type Private Non-Profit Transportation Provider Private Non-Profit Transportation Provider, Medicaid
Broker
Tribal Transportation Agency Government Human Service Transportation Provider
Type of Service Demand Response

*Agency and volunteer drivers provide service as needed.
Demand Response and Medicaid Demand Response Medicaid and Human Services Transportation

*Contracted services with Special Mobility Services (SMS)
for Medicaid and Deer Park ambulance services for
restrained transport of mentally ill patients.
Eligibility General public General public; Medicaid recipients General Public Medicaid recipients
Service Area Ferry County
Ferry County Dial-A-Ride: Republic and Curlew.

Republic Coordinated: Republic, Malo, Curlew, Laurier, Danville, Orient, Barstow, and
Boyds into Kettle Falls and Colville.

Stevens County
Stevens County Dial-A-Ride: Kettle Falls and Colville.

Hunters Coordinated: Fruitland, Hunters, Cedonia, Gifford Daisy, and Rice into Colville
and Kettle Falls.

Northport Coordinated: Northport, Evans, and Marcus to Kettle Falls and Colville.

South Stevens Coordinated: Loon Lake, Springdale, Valley Chewelah, Addy, and Arden
to Kettle Falls, Colville, and Chewelah.

Pend Oreille County
Pend Oreille County Dial-A-Ride: Newport, Usk and Cusick.

Metaline Coordinated: Metaline Falls, Metaline, and Ione to Colville and Kettle Falls.

PO North South: Metaline Falls, Metaline, Ione, Cusick to Newport.
Ferry County/Stevens/Pend Oreille County
Medicaid brokerage service available throughout all
three counties.

Spokane County
In-Town Deer Park Shuttle: Deer Park.

Medicaid brokerage service available within Spokane
County.
Service is provided from the Spokane Tribes
reservation to:
Inchelium
Chewelah
Colvillle
Deer Park
Spokane
Ferry County
*Medicaid only. Ferry County excluding the Confederated
Tribes of Colville Reservation.

Spokane County
Deer Park
Hours of Operation Dial-A-Ride Routes
Ferry County Dial-A-Ride: Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM-
12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM.

Stevens County Dial-A-Ride: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM-
3:30 PM.

Pend Oreille County Dial-A-Ride: Monday through Thursday 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM and
7:05 AM - 5:30 PM.

Coordinated Routes
All Coordinated routes arrive in Colville, Chewelah, or Kettle Falls by 10:30 AM and
depart 1:30 PM except for PO North/South route which arrives in Newport by 9:15 AM
and departs 4:30 PM.

Hunters Coordinated: Every other Wednesday
Metaline and Republic Coordinated: Every other Friday
Northport Coordinated: Every other Monday
PO North/South: Friday
South Stevens Coordinated: Every other Thursday
Dial-A-Ride Routes
In-Town Deer Park Shuttle: Monday through Friday 9:00
AM- 3:00 PM.

Medicaid Brokerage available 8:00-4:30 PM, 2:00-6:30
PM Monday through Friday, but service can extend to
24/7.
Monday through Friday. Operating hours vary
depending on the need of the passenger.
8:00 AM- 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Advanced Reservation
Required
Yes, Dial-A-Ride: Before 3:00 PM the day before if scheduling for morning service and
before 12:00 PM the day of if scheduling for afternoon service (Exception: Call by 11:00
AM for Ferry County Dial-A-Ride).
Yes, 24 hours in advance. Open seating otherwise
available as space allows.
Yes, at least 24 hours in advance. N/A
Fares Suggested donation of $0.50 one-way for local trips and $5.00 round-trip for out of
area trips using Coordinated routes.
$1.00 one-way for In-Town Deer Park Shuttle. No
charge for Medicaid recipients on any route.
No charge No charge
Annual Operating Budget $689,000 (Deviated-Fixed Route, Dial-A-Ride, & Commuter Routes combined) Unknown $120,000 $45,000
Current Funding Sources FTA Section 5311 (rural), FTA Section 5310 (vehicle purchases/service), Older
Americans Act Title IIIB, Washington State Funds (paratransit/special needs, rural
mobility), donations, volunteer in-kind service, and cost-sharing of overhead by Head
Start.
FTA Section 5311 (rural), WSDOT Rural Mobility,
Medicaid, and the City of Deer Park.
FTA 5317 and RMC funds Medicaid and WA State funding from the criminal justice
treatment account.

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VETERANSTRANSPORTATIONSYSTEM
MedicalcentersinRepublicandColvillehaveVAapprovedservicesavailableforveterans;howeverfor
somemedicalservicesveteransmusttraveltotheVAHospitalinSpokane(MannGrandstaffVAMedical
Center).
Inrecentyears,theVAhasbeenimplementingaVeterans
TransportationService(VTS)tohelpconnectveteranswhoare
visuallyimpaired,elderlyorimmobilizedduetodiseaseor
disability.Thistransportationserviceisactiveat45medicalsites
aroundtheUS,includingSpokane;howevertheregionalcoverage
areafortheSpokaneVAHospitalisverylarge,extendingacross
easternWashington,northernIdahoandintonorthwestern
Montana.Toschedulerides,veteransmustcalltwotofourweeks
inadvanceoftheirappointmentdates,andridesareprovidedon
aspaceavailablebasis.
Severalyearsago,StevensCountypurchasedavantoassistwithveteranstransportusingfundsfrom
theCountysVeteransReliefProgram.ThevaniscurrentlyoperatedbytheColvilleAmericanLegion
Post,undercontracttoDisabledAmericanVeterans(DAV),anationalveteransadvocacyandassistance
group.DAVcoordinateswiththeSpokaneVAHospitalsVTSofficetoscheduleappointmentsand
provideridesusingtheStevensCountyvan.ThisvanoperatesbetweenColvilleandtheSpokaneVA
HospitalanddoesnotserveareasofthecountynorthofColville.ItrunsTuesdaysonly,andisdrivenby
volunteers.
InFerryCounty,RRCAwasrecentlyawardedagranttopurchaseavanforveteranstransport,undera
fundingprogramofferedbytheVAforveryruralcounties.(Despitetheruralnatureoftheentiretri
countyarea,onlyFerryCountyhadpopulationlevelslowenoughtoqualifyforthisfundingprogram.)
Thegrantprovidedcapitalfundingonlyforavanpurchasenooperationalfundingisprovided.Atthis
time,RRCAhasjustreceivednoticeoffundingaward,andspecificrulesandrequirementsforuseofthe
vanareanticipatedtounfoldoverthenextfewmonths.
InPendOreilleCounty,veteransneedingtransportationmustcurrentlyrelyontheVTSvanservice.A
VTSvanoperatingbetweenLibby,MontanaandtheSpokaneVAHospitalonceaweekcantravel
throughNewporttopickupveterans.VeteransTransportationResourcesaresummarizedinTable3.

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Table3.VeteransTransportationResources
Table3.VETERANSTRANSPORTATIONRESOURCES
AmericanLegion
Post47Colville
DisabledAmerican
Veterans(DAV)
Veterans
Transportation
Service(VTA)
PendOreilleCounty
VeteransProgram
Eligibility Veterans

Transportation
assistancerestrictedto
tripsformedical.

*Othereligibilitycriteria
mayapply.
Veterans

Transportationassistance
restrictedtotripsfor
medical.
Veterans

Transportation
assistancerestricted
totripsformedical.
VeteranswhoarePend
OreilleCountyresidentsof
1yearandregistered
voters.

Transportationassistance
restrictedtotripsfor
medical.
Service
Area
StevensCounty
Colville,Addy,Arden

SpokaneCounty
DeerParkandSpokane
Montana,Idaho,
Washington

MT/ID/Spokane
Sanders,Bonner,Stevens,
andSpokaneCounty
NoxonShuttle:
Noxon,ClarkFork,Hope,
Sandpoint,LaClede,Priest
River,Newport,Diamond
Lake,Elk,Chattaroy,
LincolnCounty
LibbyShuttle:
Libby,Troy,StateLine,Moyie
Springs,BonnersFerry,
Elmira,Samuels,Spokane.

AdditionalCountiesserved
include:Chelan,Okanogan,
Douglas,Grant,Lincoln,
Kootenai,Benewah,Latah,
andNezPerceCounty.
Ferry,Stevens,Pend
OreilleCountyand
SpokaneCounty.

Servicealsoextends
westintoWestern
Montana,southto
WallaWalla,andeast
toWenatchee.
PendOreilleCounty

SpokaneCounty
Spokane

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VOLUNTEERNETWORKSANDOTHERHUMANSERVICESTRANSPORTATION
Tables4and5providesummariesofotherhumanservicestransportationprovidersandvolunteer
networks.Whileallareessentialforhumanservicestransportationinthetricountyarea,thefollowing
arenotablefortheirregionalavailability:
SMSandNortheastAllianceCounsellingServiceoperatedemandresponseservicethatis
availableonlytoMedicaidrecipientsforaccesstomedicalservices.KALTRANisalsoexpected
tobeaddedasacontractedMedicaidtransportationproviderinthenearterm.
CatholicCharitiesmanagesaregional
networkofvolunteerdriverswhooffer
ridesusingtheirownprivatevehicles.
Theserviceisopentoseniorsages60or
overwholiveindependentlyorpersons
18orolderwhoarelowincomeand
disabled.
RuralResourcesCommunityAction
(RRCA)alsousesvolunteerstoprovide
serviceinFerry,Stevens,andPend
OreilleCountyandhelpfillthegapsindialarideandfixedroutecoverage.Theserviceisopen
tothegeneralpublicwiththerestrictionthattripscannotbeforMedicaid.



Table 4. OTHER HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS
Career Path Services Catholic Charities Volunteer
Chore
Curlew Job Corps Kalispel Tribe Klondike Hills Assisted Living Parkview Senior Living
Eligibility Persons seeking employment and
those with developmental
disabilities, referred by WA Division
of Developmental Disabilities,
Vocational Rehabilitation, and
Department of Social and Health
Services (DSHS).
Seniors age 60+ who live
independently or low-income
functionally disabled 18+
Students of the program (Ages 16-
24).

Transportation trips are restricted to
trips for home leave, medical, or job
related travel.
Program participants Facility residents Facility residents
Service Area Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille,
Okanogan County

*Fleet vehicle available in Stevens
County only. Personal vehicle used
in Ferry and Pend Oreille County.
Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille
County
Variable Variable Okanogan County
Omak

Ferry County
Republic

Stevens County
Colville
Stevens County
Colville
Career Path Services Catholic Charities Volunteer Chore Curlew Job Corps Kalispel Tribe Klondike Hills Assisted Living Parkview Senior Living
Hours of Operation Variable Variable

Dependent on volunteer availability
and weather conditions.
Variable Variable

Trips are restricted to field trips for
Camas Early Learning Center and
Camas Learning Center, medical for
the Social Services program.
Variable

Typically 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Travel
to Omak or Colville is offered once
per month (one or other, rotating).
A monthly schedule is made
available but transportation
assistance is offered outside of
schedules trips based on staff
availability.
Variable, twice weekly
Advanced Reservation Required Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Fares No charge No charge No charge No charge No charge No charge
Annual Vehicle Hours Unknown N/A N/A Unknown Unknown Unknown
Annual Vehicle Miles Unknown N/A N/A Unknown Unknown Unknown
Annual One-Way Passenger Trips Unknown N/A N/A Unknown Unknown Unknown
Annual Operating Budget Unknown

*Not separate from general budget
N/A N/A Unknown $8,000 Unknown
Current Funding Sources Federal, state, and other grants Local grants Federal (DOL) Unknown Private funds (resident fees) Resident Fees
Coordination With Other
Providers
Rural Resources Community Action
(RRCA) and Gold Line
Rural Resources Community Action
(RRCA) and Special Mobility Services
(SMS)
Gold Line and Greyhound None Catholic Charities Volunteer Chore,
Special Mobility Services (SMS), and
New Alliance

*The vehicle owned by Klondike Hills
was purchased through a shared
grant between Ferry County Public
Hospital and New Alliance and
allows New Alliance to use their
vehicle.
Unknown




Table 5. VOLUNTEER NETWORKS
American Legion Post 47 - Colville Catholic Charities-Volunteer Chore Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Pend Oreille County Veterans
Program
RRCA
Agency Type Veterans Social Organization Private Non-Profit Volunteer Organization Veterans Volunteer Organization Veterans Assistance Program Private Non-Profit Transportation Provider
Eligibility Veterans

Transportation assistance restricted to trips for
medical. *Other eligibility criteria may apply.
Seniors age 60+ who live independently or
low-income functionally disabled 18+.
Veterans

Transportation assistance restricted to trips
for medical.
Veterans who are Pend Oreille County
residents of 1 year and registered voters.

Transportation assistance restricted to trips
for medical.
General Public (non-Medicaid clients only)
Service Area Stevens County
Colville, Addy, Arden

Spokane County
Deer Park and Spokane
Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille County Montana, Idaho, Washington

Sanders, Bonner, Pend Oreille, and Spokane
County - Noxon Shuttle:
Noxon, Clark Fork, Hope, Sandpoint, LaClede,
Priest River, Newport, Diamond Lake, Elk,
Chattaroy, Spokane

Lincoln, Bonner, Pend Oreille and Spokane
County - Libby Shuttle:
Libby, Troy, State Line, Moyie Springs, Bonners
Ferry, Elmira, Samuels, Sandpoint, LaClede,
Priest River, Newport, Diamond Lake, Elk,
Chattaroy, Spokane.

Additional Counties served include: Chelan,
Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Kootenai,
Benewah, Latah, and Nez Perce County.
Pend Oreille County

Spokane County
Spokane
Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille County
Hours of Operation Tuesdays 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM

2 Volunteer drivers on staff.
Variable

Dependent on volunteer availability and
weather conditions.
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Noxon Shuttle; Tuesdays and Thursdays for
the Libby Shuttle; Other areas served varies
Monday through Friday.

*Medical appointments must be completed by
2:00 PM for return service.
Variable

Dependent on volunteer availability.
Variable

Dependent on volunteer availability.
Advanced Reservation
Required
Yes, schedule through the Spokane VA Hospital. Unknown 72 hours advanced notice required, unless
otherwise approved.
Unknown Unknown
Fares No charge No charge No charge No charge Suggested donation of $0.50 one-way for local
trips and $5.00 round-trip for out of area trips.
Annual Operating Budget Unknown Unknown Unknown 16,000

*Transportation budget not separate from
general budget.
$689,000

*Includes all services operated by RRCA
including Deviated-Fixed Route, Dial-A-Ride,
and Commuter Routes
Current Funding Sources Disabled American Veterans provides
operational funding.
Local grants Unknown Unknown FTA Section 5311 (rural), FTA Section 5310
(vehicle purchases/service), Older Americans
Act Title IIIB, Washington State Funds
(paratransit/special needs, rural mobility),
donations, volunteer in-kind service, and cost-
sharing of overhead by Head Start. Funding
sources listed are for all services operated by
RRCA.

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REGIONALFLEET
AsummaryofvehiclesintheregionalpublictransportationisprovidedinTable6.Formostpublic
transportationproviders,existingvehiclesaremeetingcurrentneeds;howeverinsomeinstancesolder
fleetequipmentisnearingtheendofitsusefullife.Thefleetislean;therearecurrentlynounneeded
orunusedvehiclesexceptfortwobusesbeingsoldbyRRCAthatwererecentlyreplacedwithnewer
buses.Theavailabilityofbackupvehiclesislimited,makingreliabilityanissueintheeventofavehicle
breakdown.
AllpubliclyaccessiblevehiclesareADAaccessibleexceptone15passengervanoperatedbyKALTRAN.
Whilemanyprovidershavebikeracksontheirvehiclesallowingmultimodaltrips,bicycle
accommodationisnotyetavailableonRRCAvehicles.SMSalsohasseveralvehicleswithoutbikeracks,
andwillbeaddingthemlaterthisyear.
Allprovidershaveasystemforbudgetingandforecasting
vehiclereplacementneedswiththeexceptionofMoccasin
Express,whichhasbeeninoperationforonlythreeyears,
andisstillbuildingatrackrecordandunderstandingof
vehiclemaintenanceandreplacementcyclesfortheir
equipment.
Inventoriesofadditionalvehiclescurrentlyoperatedby
veteransandhumanservicesorganizationsareprovidedin
Tables7and8.

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Table 6. REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FLEET
Colville Confederated Tribes
Transportation Department
(CCTDOT)
Gold Line KALTRAN Rural Resources Community
Action (RRCA)
Moccasin Express Special Mobility Services
(SMS)
Northeast Alliance
Counseling Services
Agency Type Tribal Public Transportation
Provider
Private for Profit
Intercity Transportation
Provider
Tribal Public Transportation
Provider
Private Non-Profit
Transportation Provider
Tribal Public Transportation
Provider
Private Non-Profit
Transportation Provider
Government Human Service
Transportation Provider
Number of Agency
Vehicles
6 3 6
*2 additional vehicles being
added in October.
8
*4 additional buses are owned
and maintained by Head Start,
operated by RRCA. 2 RRCA
vehicles being sold are not
included.
2 12 2
Vehicle Description 2 Minibuses
4 Vans
3 Turtle-Top Buses 4 Buses
2 Vans
*2 additional buses being added
by October.
8 Minibuses
4 School Buses (Head Start
vehicles)
2 Minibuses
*2 additional buses will be
added soon.
6 Ford Eldorado Vehicles
5 Ford Starcraft Vehicles
1 Ford Champion Vehicle
1 Ford Bus
1 Chevy Malibu
Passenger Seat
Capacity
Unknown 3- 27
Passenger Buses
1- 38
2- 22
1- 15
Passenger Buses

1- 15
1- 7
Passenger Vans

*1- 28 and 1- 12
passenger buses will be added
by October.
RRCA vehicles
1-14 Passenger Bus

Head Start vehicles
4- 16-24
Passenger Buses with
wheelchair stations
2- 14
Passenger Buses
12- 12
Ambulatory and 2 Wheelchair
Passenger or 6 Ambulatory and
4 Wheelchair Passenger
Vehicles
Unknown
ADA Accessible Unknown Yes Yes
*All but the 15 passenger van.
An ADA accessible vehicle is
always an option if needed. The
two buses being added will be
ADA accessible as well.
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bike Racks Unknown Yes Yes No Yes Yes
*For vehicles that dont have
them yet, racks will be installed
by this fall.
Unknown




Table 7. OTHER HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION VEHICLES
Buena Vista Nursing
Home
Career Path Services Catholic Charities
Volunteer Chore
Curlew Job Corps Kalispel Tribe Klondike Hills Assisted
Living
Parkview Senior Living
Agency Type Assisted Living Center Private Non-Profit Organization Private Non-Profit Volunteer
Organization
Federal Education and Career
Technical Training Program
Tribal Government Assisted Living Center Assisted Living Center
Type of Service Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation Human Services Transportation
Number of Agency Vehicles 1 2

*Personal vehicles are also
used.
0

*Volunteers use their own
vehicles.
0

*Contracted services are with a
federal carrier such as Gold Line
and Greyhound to provide bus
and air transportation.
10

(3 Camas Early Learning Center;
5 Camas Learning Center; 2
Social Services; Elder Program
and Behavioral Health Program
unknown)
1 1
Vehicle Description 1 1999 Ford Van 2 Minivans N/A N/A 1 Van
1 Suburban
1 Bus
Camas Early Learning Center

2 Mini Vans
1 Bus
1 Chevy SUV
1 Tucson Hyundai
Camas Learning Center

1 Ford Explorer
1 Toyota Camry
Social Services Program
1 Ford Bus Unknown
Passenger Seat Capacity Unknown Unknown N/A N/A Unknown
Camas Early Learning Center

2- 7 passenger vans
1- 18 passenger bus
1- 8 passenger suburban
1- 5 passenger SUV
Camas Learning Center

1- 5 Passenger SUV
1- 5 Passenger Sedan
1-10
Passenger Bus
Unknown
ADA Accessible Unknown Yes (agency vehicles only) N/A N/A Unknown Camas Early Learning
Center, No ADA accessible
vehicles for Camas Learning
Center or Social Services.
Yes Unknown
Bike Racks Unknown Unknown N/A N/A Unknown Unknown Unknown

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Table8.VeteransHumanServicesTransportationFleet.
Table8.VETERANSORGANIZATIONVEHICLES
AmericanLegionPost
47Colville
DisabledAmericanVeterans
(DAV)
VeteransTransportation
Service(VTA)
AgencyType VeteransSocial
Organization
VeteransVolunteerOrganization FederalGovernmentAgency
NumberofAgency
Vehicles
1 9 3
VehicleDescription 1Van 7Ford350Vans
1FordExplorerSUV
1ChevyVan
1Shuttle
2Ford350Vans
PassengerSeat
Capacity
Unknown 7 12passengervans(only7
passengersallowedperVA
restrictions)

13passengersuburbanSUV
17passengervan(only6passengers
allowedperVArestrictions)
18person,2wheelchair
shuttle

14passenger,2wheelchair
van

12passenger,2wheelchairor
1stretchervan
ADAAccessible Unknown No Yes
BikeRacks Unknown Unknown Unknown

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TRANSITFACILITIES
4.7.1. MAINTENANCEFACILITIES
BothGoldLineandRRCAoutsourceallvehiclemaintenanceactivitiesanddonotoperatetheirown
maintenancefacilities.Maintenancecontractorsareconvenientlylocatedwithintheirserviceareas,
whichhelpstominimizethetimevehiclesareoutofservicewhenmaintenanceisneeded.
KALTRANandSMScurrentlyoperatetheirownmaintenancefacilities.MoccasinExpresshasanew
maintenancefacilityfundedandunderconstruction,whichisexpectedtobecompletedin2014.
Forprovidersthatperformtheirownvehiclemaintenance,whenthenecessaryequipmentisnot
available,vehiclesmustbetransportedforserviceelsewheresuchastoSpokane.BothKALTRANand
MoccasinExpressnotedthatoutsourcingtheirvehiclemaintenancecanbecostlyandputvehiclesoutof
commissionforlongerperiodsoftime.
Mostprovidersfeelthatcurrentmaintenancepracticesaremeetingneeds;howeverKALTRANhasplans
toexpandtheirmaintenancefacilityasfundingbecomesavailable,tofurtherminimizethecostof
servicingvehiclesandthetimethatvehiclesareoutofcommission.
4.7.2. PASSENGERFACILITIES
Providersgenerallyconsidertheirstoplocationstobeconvenient,easytoidentify,andADAaccessible.
GoldLinehassheltersandseatingatstoplocationsinKettleFalls,Colville,Chewelah,DeerPark,and
NorthSpokane.Passengerfacilitiesarebrandedwithconsistentcolorstomakethestoplocationseasy
toidentifyasaGoldLineaccesspoint.KALTRANhasshelterandseatingamenitiesatstopsinCusickas
well.However,mostotherstoplocationsinthetricountyarealackseatingorshelters.Insomecases,
passengersmayfindseatingorshelteratlocalbusinessesneardesignatedstoplocations.
Somepassengerfacilitiesareshared.RRCApassengerscanuse
bussheltersprovidedbyKALTRANandGoldLinewheretheir
stopscoordinate.RRCApassengersmayalsofindseatingand
shelterprovidedbybusinessesatotherstoplocationsinaddition
toinformalparkandrideoptionsallowedbylocalbusinesses.
GoldLinepassengerscanfindseatingandshelterattheSpokane
Airport,STAsPlazaindowntownSpokane(GoldLinestopsa
blockaway),andtheSpokaneIntermodalCenter.
Providersthatmaywanttosharefacilitiesorlayoverareaswith
STAwouldneedtomeetSTAspolicyguidelines.STAsharesthe
HastingsParkandRidestopwithGoldLine.WSDOTownsthe

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underlyinglandattheHastingsParkandRideandSTAhasrightstoleasethislocationatnocostfor
transitpurposes.TheuseofSTAsstopandshelterattheSpokaneAirportbyotherprovidersmaybe
possibleatthediscretionoftheairport.
WiththeexceptionofGoldLine,transitprovidersdonothavesignsatstopslocatedoutsideofthetri
countyarea.ProvidersthatmaywanttoplacesignsinSpokanewouldneedtofollowCityofSpokane
regulations.
SERVICEDUPLICATION,PARTNERSANDCOMPETITORS
Wheninterviewed,transportationprovidersconfirmedthevalueofcoordinationinmeetingtheneeds
ofcustomersintheirservicearea,tofillingapsandavoidduplicationofservice.
Mostprovidersfeelthatcompetitionforcustomersisminimal.Providersinterviewedidentifiedno
currentduplicationofservice,andthisfindingwassupportedbytheprojectteamstechnicalreview.
SeveralprovidersdooperateincommoncorridorsalongUS395andUS2;howeverservicetypes,days
andhoursdonotsignificantlyoverlap.
Thefollowinginformalpartnershipscurrentlyexistbetweenproviders:
GoldLinecoordinateswithinterlinepassengerswithGreyhound,NorthwesternTrailwaysand
AmtrakinSpokane.TheyareabletosellticketstocustomersusinganyNationalBusTicketing
Association(NBTA)carrierservice.
KALTRANcoordinateswithRRCA,STA,QualifiedHumanServicesOrganization(QHSO),aswellas
theKalispelTribesTribalCourt.Theyshareinformationaboutroutesandcoordinatetoaddress
routeplanningandgapidentification.
RRCAcoordinateswithGoldLine,KALTRAN,SMS,andCatholicCharitiesVolunteerChoretohelp
ensureinformationisbeingsharedaboutroutesandschedulechanges.RRCAisaticketing
agentforGoldLineand,byextension,GreyhoundandNorthwesternTrailways.
WhileMoccasinExpressisnotcurrentlycoordinatingservicewithotherproviders,internal
planningeffortsareunderwaytoconnecttoroutesservicedbyKALTRANandSTA.
SMSsharesinformationaboutotheravailabletransitservicesininstanceswhentheirown
servicesdontfullymeetpassengersneeds.
STAnotedthatexistingforumsforregionaltransitcoordinationareavailableforparticipationby
tricountyproviders.ExamplesincludeWSDOTmeetingsandtheSpokaneRegional
TransportationCouncilsTransportationTechnicalCommitteemeetings.STAworkswith
individualtransitprovidersinthetricountyareaastheneedarises.

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SERVICEINTERRUPTIONSANDINCONSISTENCIES
Theoccasionalserviceinterruptionduetopoorweatherconditions,accidents,staffavailabilityor
mechanicaldelaysisunavoidableformosttransportationagencies;however,interruptedorinconsistent
servicewasnotidentifiedasaregularproblemforanyoftheprovidersinterviewedfortheproject.
(KALTRANnotedtheymaytemporarilystopserviceforculturalreasonsasorderedbyTribalCouncil.)
Themajorityofserviceinconsistenciesintheregionhavebeentheonsetanddiscontinuationofservices
causedbyfluctuatingfunding.
CURRENTTECHNOLOGIESUSED
Providersuseavarietyoftechnologicandtraditionalmethodsforgettinginformationtocustomers,
ticketing,dispatching,fares,managingvehiclesandothercapitalassets,aswellasgrantmonitoringand
reporting.
Mostprovidersidentifiedsystemsfordatacollectionandreportingareworkingwell.Inmostinstances,
however,handcollecteddataisconvertedintospreadsheets.KALTRANexpressedadesirefor
improvedsystemstohelpautomatedatacollectionandanalysis.
Whileexistingsystemsfordispatchingareworking,radiosonbuseswouldimprovedispatching
efficiencyforSMS,whichcurrentlyusesGPS,textingandcellphonesforverbalcommunication.
OthertechnologiessuchasonboardWiFiandcamerasystemsarenotcurrentlyinuse.RRCAhasthree
busesequippedwithcamerasystemsandhasfoundthatonboardcamerasystemsimprovethesafety
ofriders.
HOWPASSENGERSGETINFORMATION
Providershaveavarietyofapproachestomakeserviceinformationavailabletothepublic.Allproviders
relyonprintadvertising,whetherinnewspapers,flyers,brochures,orbulletinboardpostings.In
additiontothesemethods,RRCAadvertisesinayearlyresourceguide,andGoldLineandKALTRAN
advertiseontheradio.
Riderscancallindividualprovidersforinformationorlookforinformationonindividualproviders
websites.GoldLineadvertisesontheirownwebsiteaswellasGreyhoundsandTravelWashingtons
Website.Whileallprovidershavewebsites,theKALTRANandSMSwebsiteswerebeingworkedonat
thetimethisplanwasprepared,andneededtobeupdatedwithcurrentinformation.Otherelectronic
methodsofcommunicationusedincludetribalemailsandFacebook.
BothKALTRANandRRCAareactivelycoordinatingeffortswithothersocialservicegroupsand
communitymembersinadditiontoothertraditionalmethodsofadvertisingtohelpbringawarenessto

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servicesbeingoffered.KALTRANhashostedeventsinthecommunitysuchasanannualhauntedtrail
doneinpartnershipwiththejuniorandseniorhighschoolclass.Theyalsoactivelyparticipatein
communityeventsoractivitiessuchaspowwows,festivals(suchastheLavenderFestival),clothing
drives,andscrapbookingparties.RRCAfrequentlygivespresentationstoorganizationsinthe
communitytohelpeducateagenciesabouttheservicestheyoffer.Partneringwithmembersand
organizationsinthecommunityhelpsinformationspreadbywordofmouthanddemonstratesanactive
involvementinthecommunity.
Whileanumberofcurrentcustomercommunicationmethodsusedbyindividualprovidersarelocally
effective,thereiscurrentlynocentralizedprocessinplacefordevelopinganddisseminatingoverall
informationonregionallyavailableservices.Anoverarchingneedexpressedbymostprovidersisan
improvedmarketingprocess,includingeasytofindinformationonavailableroutes,stopsandservices
withinthetricountyarea.

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5. UNMETTRANSPORTATIONNEEDS
Existingservices,whileverylimited,provideanindispensablelifelinefortransitdependentrural
residentsacrosstheregion.Sustainingexistingservicesisahighpriority,toensuretransitdependents
cancontinuetoaccessmedicalandsocialservices,buygroceriesandothernecessities,reach
employmentopportunitiesandaddressotherfundamentalneeds.
Inadditiontosustainingexistingtransportationservice,thefollowingneedsandgapshavebeen
identifiedthroughoutreachtotransportationprovidersandotherstakeholdersasdescribedinChapter
2,andaprofessionalassessmentbytheprojectteam.Needswereconfirmedbasedonfeedbackfrom
publicmeetingattendeesandaswellasatechnicalreviewofalignmentofexistingserviceswithsocio
demographicdensitiespresentedinChapter3.
GAPSINCOVERAGE:UNSERVEDANDUNDERSERVEDAREAS
AccessfromAllRuralAreas.Accessfromruralareastocommunitycentersinallthreecounties
isgenerallydifficultandrepresentsasignificantneed.
ConnectionsbetweentheTriCounties.WhileseveralprovidersofferconnectionstoSpokane,
thereisanotablelackof,andneedfordirectconnectionsbetweencommunitieswithinthetri
countyarea.DirecttravelbetweenRepublicandColville,andbetweenColvilleandNewportis
currentlynotpossible,exceptasthelimitedvolunteernetworkmayallow.Manyessential
shoppingandmedicalneedsmaybeservedbyimprovingconnectionsbetweencommunities
withinthetricountyarea.Improvedintraregionalconnectionswouldalsohelptosupportand
fosternortheasternWashingtonsruraleconomy.
TownCirculator(s).Mostexistingfixedrouteservicesintheregionarefocusedoninter
communitytravelalonghighwaycorridors.Localcirculatorserviceisneededwithininthetri
countyslargertowns,especiallyColville,forbasicdailyaccessbetweenurbanresidentialareas
andemployment,highereducation,shopping,medicalandotherservices.
ConnectionsforSpokaneTribeandWesternStevensCountyAreas.Gapsincoverageexistfor
theFord,SpringdaleandNineMileFallsareasandadditionalconnectionsareneededfor
SpokaneTribalmembers.RidersintheseareaswouldbenefitfromconnectionstoDeerPark,
LoonLake,Chewelah,AirwayHeights,andSpokaneformedicalservices,shopping,andother
purposes.ConnectionstotheseareasfromtheSpokaneTribesreservation,aswellas
connectionstothewesttoReardanforfamilyandeducationalservices,wereneedsspecifically
identifiedfortribalmembers.AreasaroundKettleFallsmayalsobenefitfromincreasedservice
foraccesstojobs,andconnectionstoColvilleforshoppingandmedicalservices.

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NorthernPendOreilleCountyConnections.InPendOreilleCounty,aservicegapexists
betweenMetalineFallsandIone.KALTRANscurrentfixedrouteservicesinPendOreilleCounty
extendonlyasfarnorthasIone,leavingMetalineandMetalineFallswithoutanyformof
regularlyscheduledserviceMondaythroughThursday.MetalineresidentshaveFridayonly
accesstothetransitnetwork,viaRRCAsPendOreilleNorth/Southdialarideservice.Weekday
connectionsbetweenMetalineFallsandCusick,Newportand/orColvilleareimportantfor
accesstoemploymentandmedicalservices
ConnectionsforRepublicandOrientAreas.InFerryCounty,regularlyscheduledtransportation
betweenRepublic,OrientandColvilleforaccesstomedical,socialandcommunityservices,as
wellasforconnectionstotheGoldLine,wereidentifiedasanunderservedneed.TheWSU
ExtensioninRepublicisanadditionaldestinationforruralresidents.
ConnectionstotheOkanoganandIdaho.CCTDOTsservicebetweenIncheliumandNespelem
connectswithothertransportationservicesinOkanoganCountytoreachOmak.However,
connectionsforRepublicwestwardarelacking.RuralresidentsbetweenRepublicandTonasket
inOkanaganCountywouldbenefitfromimprovedconnectionstotheOmak/Okanoganarea,
westofthestudyarea,forshopping,socialservicesandrecreationalpurposes.Similarly,
connectingservicefromNewportintoIdahotoreachPriestRiverandSandpointhasbeen
availableinthepast,butwasdiscontinuedduetofundingissues.Futurepartnershipswith
providersinOkanoganCountyandinIdahomayhelptoaddresstheseservicegaps.
SERVICEFREQUENCYNEEDS
Expandedservicefrequencies,bothdaysandtimes,wouldfurtherimprovetransportationaccessand
connectivity.Increasingservicefrequencywouldhelpminimizewaittimes,improvingaccessto
communityresourcesandinterconnectivitywithothertransitservices.
AdditionalWeekdays.Whiletransitprovidersarecurrentlycoordinatingtohelpcovergapsin
weekdayservice,insomeareasridersmustswitchprovidersandaltertheirtraveltimes,
dependingonthedayofweektheyaretravelling.Inareasofhigherdemand,aconsistentfive
dayserviceoperatedbyasingleproviderismuchmoreconvenientandintuitiveforpassengers.
Fridayserviceisneededforseveralroutes,includingservicebetweenIoneandCusickon
KALTRANsIoneRoute,betweenCusickandSpokaneonKALTRANsSpokaneRoute,and
betweenNewportandCusickonRRCAsNewportUskRoute.Theshuttleservicebetween
NewportandSpokaneservicedbySMSalsoneedstobeexpandedtoincludeTuesdays.
IncreasedMidDayRunsbetweenCommutingTimes.Higherfrequenciesofservicebetween
morningdropoffandafternoonpickuptimesareneededtohelpreducewaittimesfor

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passengersreturninghome.Increasedfrequenciesofserviceonallexistingroutesexceptthe
GoldLine,wereidentifiedasasignificantneed.
IncreasedFrequenciesbetweenTriCountyCommunities.AsnotedintheGapsdiscussion
above,intercountyservicebetweenFerry,StevensandPendOreilleCountyiscurrentlyvery
limited.Increasedservicebetweentricountycommunitiesisneededastheseservicegapsare
remedied.
MoreFrequentAccesstoSpokane.Increasedfrequenciesanddaysofservicebetween
NewportandSpokane,ColvilleandSpokaneandbetweenSpokaneTribalcommunitiesand
Spokaneareneeded,foraccesstogreateremploymentopportunitiesaswellasmedicalservices
andshoppingopportunitieswhichmaynotcurrentlybeavailablewithinthetricountyarea.
DuringtheCPTHSTPplanningprocess,theprojectteamreceivedarequestforincreasedservice
frequenciestoSpokaneforresidentsintheDeerParkarea.DeerParkislocatedinSpokane
County,outsideofthetricountyplanningarea;however,increasedfrequencyofserviceto
SpokanefromColvilleand/orNewportcouldhaveancillarybenefitsforDeerParkresidents.
IncreasedServiceFrequenciesforRuralResidents.ServicebetweenFerryCountyandwestern
StevensCountyiscurrentlyavailableonlyeveryotherweek.RRCAsRepublicCoordinated
RouteprovidesdialarideserviceonalternatingFridays,adifferentdayoftheweekthannorth
southserviceonRRCAsHuntersCoordinatedRoute,whichoffersdialaridealternating
Wednesdays.NoSpokaneconnectioniscurrentlyavailablefortheseareas.RRCAsdialaride
servicebetweenMetalineandCusickistheonlyserviceavailablefortheMetalinearea,and
operatesFridaysonly.Increasedfrequencyofserviceintheseruralareas,insomecaseswith
connectionstoSpokane,isneededforaccesstoessentialservicesforruralresidents.
WeekendService.Severalprovidersexpressedaneedtoprovideweekendservice,inorderfor
peopletoaccesscommunityevents,shopping,familyandrecreationalactivities,andweekend
employmentopportunities.WiththeexceptionofGoldLine,onlyvolunteerdriverscurrently
offerridesonweekends.Publicsurveyrespondentsgenerallyratedweekdayserviceasa
higherimportancethanweekendservice,althoughweekendservicemaybeneededtoaddress
agreaterdemandinsomeareas.Thetricountytransitcommitteewillneedtocarefullyweigh
fundingrequestsfornewweekendserviceinhighdemandareasagainstfundingrequestsfor
weekdayserviceinareaswherethereiscurrentlyagapincoverage.NEWRTPOstransit
committeeprovidesaforumfordiscussion,vetting,andprioritizationofcompetingfunding
requests,sothattransitleaderscanensurelimitedfundingisallocatedresponsibly.

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TRANSITFLEETANDFACILITYNEEDS
Thefollowingcapitalneedshavebeenidentifiedtocontinueandenhanceessentialtransportation
services:
Neworreplacementwheelchairequippedvehiclesforspecialneedstransportbyhuman
servicesagenciesareneeded.Inthenearterm,PendOreilleCounsellingServicesneedsanADA
equippedvanfortransportoftheirpatients,andCareerPathServicesmayalsoneeda
wheelchairequippedvantoreplaceanexistingvanwhichisattheendofitsservicelife.
Replacementvehiclesareneededforpublictransportationproviderstomaintainsafe
equipmentforridersandavoidcostlyrepairsanddowntimeasvehiclesreachtheendoftheir
usefullives.Inthenearterm,RRCA,GoldLine,KALTRANandSMSallhaveneedsfor
replacementvehicles.Newvehiclesshouldberightsizedforthedemandtobeserved,which
insomecaseswillmeanreplacingexistingvehicleswithlargerones.
Backupvehiclesareneededforpublictransportationproviderstoimproveservicereliabilityin
theeventofabreakdownorotherincident.Inthenearterm,bothMoccasinExpressand
KALTRANhavecurrentneedsforbackupvehicles.Fundingforbackupvehiclesforother
providersshouldalsobeconsidered.
Vehiclestoaccommodateserviceexpansionandincreasedservicefrequenciestoareasthat
arecurrentlyunservedorunderservedareneeded.IntheneartermKALTRANexpectstoneed
anadditionallargebusforplannedserviceexpansion.
Passengershelters,benches,bicycleracksandotheramenitiesareneededatfixedroute
transitstoplocationstoprovideprotectionfromtheelementsandimprovecustomer
convenience.Inthenearterm,bothMoccasinExpressandKALTRANidentifiedaneedfor
sheltersatbusstopsthatwouldofferseatingandweatherprotectionfortheirpassengers.Stop
amenitiesshouldalsobeconsideredinotherareas.
TRANSITTECHNOLOGYNEEDS
Thefollowingtechnologicaladvancementswouldhelptoimprovethesafetyandefficiencyofregional
operations.
OnboardcamerasystemswouldimproveridersafetyonRRCAvehicles.
RadiosonbuseswouldimprovedispatchingforSMS.

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OnBoardWiFiforlongdistancerunswouldimprovecustomerconvenienceandprovidean
incentivetoride.
MULTIMODALACCESSNEEDS
Improvedmultimodalfacilitiesandconnectionsareneededinthetricountyarea,toimprovethe
safety,efficiencyandconvenienceoftravelbytransit:
PedestrianAccesstoTransit.Pedestrianaccesstotransitisoftheutmostimportancesince
walkingisthenumberonetransportationmodetotransitstops.Sidewalkconnectivityand
accessibilityshouldbeprioritizedneartransitstops.ADAcompliantsidewalkswouldprovide
accessformembersofthedisabledcommunityandtheelderlyalike.
PedestrianAccommodationsatTransitStops.Transitstopsshouldbewellmarkedandlocated
inprominentlocations.Pedestrianaccommodationsattransitstopsshouldincludesheltered
areasforpeopletowaitoutoftheweather,benches,busscheduleinformation,trashcans,and
lighting.Levellandingpadsshouldbeprovidedforwheelchairrampdeployment.
BicycleAccommodationsonTransit.Investinginequipping
buseswithbikerackswillhelppromotebike/bustravel
options.Becausetheeffectivetravelrangeofabicycleisfar
greaterthanthatofpedestriantravel,combiningbicycleand
transitdramaticallyimprovestherangeoftransitusers,and
therefore,theattractivenessoftransit.Forbusesequipped
withluggagecompartments,bicyclistsshouldhavetheoption
ofstowingbikesonlongertripswithoutboxingthem,asis
allowedontheBoltBusthatrunsbetweenSeattleand
Portland.Ifbusesarenotsetupforeitheroftheseoptions,
bicyclistsshouldhavetheoptionforbringingbicycleson
board.
BikeParking/Storage.Bikeracksareneededattransitstopstoenablecombinedbicycle/transit
tripswhentakingabicycleonthebusiseithernotdesirableorthebikeracksonthebusarefull.
Coveredbikerackswouldprovideprotectionfromtheweather,increasingtheattractivenessof
usingtransit.Inadditiontobikeracksattransitstops,securebikestorage(lockers)maybe
consideredathighuselocationstoprovideasecureplacetoleaveabicycleforlongerperiods
oftime.
MultiModalTrainingandInformation.Trainingfortransitdriversonsafelysharingtheroad
withbicyclistsisaneedidentifiedbymultimodaladvocacygroups.Educationshouldalsobe

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providedtobicycliststounderstandthelimitedsightlinesandotherissuesthatbusdriversface.
Understandingeachroadusersneedsandlimitationswillhelpreduceconflicts.
Informationshouldbeprovidedontransitagencywebsitesregardingbicycleaccommodations
(evenifit'stosaythatthere'snoaccommodationforbicycles).Examplewebsiteinformationfor
bicyclistscanbefoundonwebsitesforSTA(http://www.spokanetransit.com/ride
sta/view/bikesonbuses)andKingCountyMetroinSeattle
(http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bike/).
ImprovedTransitConnectionsandInformationforBikeTourismandOutdoorRecreation.
Considerableevidencehasbeendocumentedontheeconomicbenefitsofbicycletourism
throughouttheUnitedStates.USBR10oftheUnitedStatesBicycleRouteSystem(anational
networkofbicycleroutes,whichwilllinkurban,suburban,andruralareasacrosstheU.S.using
avarietyofappropriatecyclingfacilities)isintheplanningstagesandgenerallyfollowsUS395
andHighway20throughFerry,StevensandPendOreillecounties.Asthisrouteisalreadyapart
oftheAdventureCyclingNorthernTierRoute,itiscurrentlyusedbyrecreationalcyclists.In
addition,theInternationalSelkirkScenicLoop,whichisapopularbicycletourloop,travels
throughtheeasternportionofthestudyarea,andtheFerryCountyRailTrail,a27.8mile
recreationalcorridor,isunderdevelopmentinthewesternpartofthestudyareabetween
RepublicandtheCanadianBorder.
Increasedawarenessoftransitservicesthatinterfacewiththesepopularbicycleroutesis
needed.Additionalmarketingandadvertisingwillhelpbicycletouristsunderstandhowtouse
transitforonewaytrips,travelbybustostartingpointsforbikerides,ortogetaridehomein
theeventofamechanicalbreakdown.
Popularhikingandmountainbikingtrailsalsoexistinthemountainousregionsofthetricounty
areathatarelocatednearexistingtransitroutes.Advertisingtheavailabilityoftransitasaccess
tooutdoorrecreationcouldincreaseridershipintheareaifbusesareequippedto
accommodatebicycles.
OnStreetandOffStreetBicycleFacilities.Safeandconvenientbicycleroutesareneededto
providebicycleaccesstotransitstops.Onstreetbikelanes,wideshoulders,andoffstreetbike
pathsshouldbeconsideredwherefeasibletoprovidehighqualityconnectionstotransit.A
proposedColvilletoKettleFallsAlternativeTransportationPathwouldprovidesafeand
convenientbicycleconnectivityalongtheproposedUSBR10.Lowvolume/lowspeedstreets
canalsoprovideaccessviasharedlanesifsignedand/oridentifiedonmaps.Surface
smoothnessandcondition,bicyclefriendlydrainagegrates,andtopographyshouldbe
consideredindesignatingbicycleroutes.

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Coordinationbetweenfuturebicyclemasterplanningandtransitroutesisneededtoensure
safeandconvenientaccesstotransit.Existingfacilitiesandroutesshouldbemappedwith
transitstopsandrelatedinformationclearlyidentified.Additionally,carefuldesign
considerationmustbemadeinaccommodatingbicyclesandtransittoreducepotentialconflicts
betweenthetransportationmodes.
Propersignageandpavementmarkingsforbicyclesarealsoneeded.SharetheRoadsignage
shouldbeavoidedduetoambiguityinthemessageitdelivers.SignagesuchasBikeMayUse
FullLaneandWatchforBikessignsarecurrentlybeingemployedinotherareasofthe
countryduetotheclearermessagestheysend.
NEEDSOFAGINGANDDISABLEDINDIVIDUALS
TransportationneedsofagingadultsanddisabledindividualshavebeendocumentedbyALTCEWand
numerousotherareaagenciesonagingaroundthecountry.
VehiclesCapableofTransportingWheelchairsand/orWalkers.
Thisisasignificantneedinthetricountyarea.Thevolunteer
networkistheonlysourceoftransportationserviceson
weekendsandisalsousedonweekdayswhenparatransitservice
isnotavailable.Becausevolunteerdriversusetheirpersonal
vehicles,accommodatingawheelchairorwalkerisnotalways
possible.
WheelchairandWalkerAccessibleSidewalksareespecially
importantattransitaccesslocations.
SafePedestrianCrossingTreatments.Accessingatransitstop
ofteninvolvescrossingabusyroadway,whichcanbeintimidatingforolderordisabledpeople.
Allpedestrians,butespeciallythosewithslowermobilityorusingwheelchairs,needtobe
clearlyvisibletodriversontheroadway.Crossinglocationsshouldbedesignedtohelpdrivers
anticipatethepresenceofpedestrians.Streetlightingisoftenhelpful.Iftrafficsignalsare
providedatpedestriancrossings,theyneedtoallowenoughtimeforslowermovingpeopleto
crosssafely.
VETERANSMEDICALACCESSNEEDS
Stakeholderinterviewsandadditionalresearchperformedforthisprojectallpointtotheneedfor
improvedaccessforveteransacrossthetricountyareatoVAapprovedmedicalservices.AlthoughVA
authorizedmedicalcentersexistinRepublic(FerryCounty)andColville(StevensCounty),theNewport
HospitalinPendOreilleCountyisstillworkingonitsauthorizationtoserveveterans.Accesstomedical

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servicesiscomplicatedbythefactthatnotallservicesandproceduresareavailableatthetwoVA
approvedmedicalcentersinFerryandStevensCounty,soveteransinallthreecountiesmusttravelto
Spokaneforsomemedicalneeds.
TransportationforVAmedicalaccessiscurrentlyinconvenient:
TheSpokaneVAHospitalsVTSvanservicerequiresschedulingtwotofourweeksinadvance,
withridesprovidedonlyonaspaceavailablebasis.
WhileavanwaspurchasedbyStevensCountytohelpprovideadditionaltransportationoptions
forveterans,theoperationalfundingforthisvanprovidedbytheDAVislimitedandrelieson
volunteerdrivers.ThevanoperatesTuesdaysonly,betweenColvilleandtheSpokaneVA
hospital,andareasnorthofColvillearenotserved.
Thelimitedavailabilityofthesetransportationservicesdictatesmedicalappointmenttimesfor
veteransrelyingonthevans.Appointmentsmustoccurbetween9amand1pm,asmallwindow
oftime.Forthereturntrip,vansdepartattheirappointedtimeonthedot,andpassengerswho
havenotyetcompletedtheirmedicalappointmentsorpharmacycallsrisklosingtheirride
home.
Tripsusingthecurrentveteransvanservicesaresinglepurpose.Thereisnoopportunityfor
veteransusingtheVTSorDAVvanstocombinetripswithshoppingneedsorothererrands.
Concernsaboutlimitedmedicalaccessoptionsforveteranshaspromptedinquiriesaboutreroutingthe
GoldLineintercitybustoservetheSpokaneVAHospital.However,asanintercitytransitservice,the
GoldLinesprimaryfunctionistoprovidedirecttransportationbetweencitycentersasefficientlyas
possible,andtoconnectpassengerstotransportationfacilitiessuchasAmtrakandtheSpokaneAirport
fortransportationbeyondtheimmediateregion.Unfortunately,adeviationtotheintercitybusrouting
toserveveteransmedicaltransportneedswouldbeinconsistentwithGoldLinesdesignatedfunction,
andwouldreduceitseffectivenessbyaddingtriptimeanddistanceforitsprimarycustomers.
Whiletheseissuesandconstraintsseemdaunting,thereisapositiveside:
TheVTSandDAVvansarewellcoordinated.Veteranscancallonenumbertoscheduleboth
medicalappointmentsandarideononeofthetwovanservices.
ThevaninStevensCountythatiscurrentlyoperatedbytheDAVisaregionalresourcethatis
currentlyunderutilized.
RRCAsrecentsuccessinobtainingfundingforanadditionalvaninFerryCountyaddstothe
fleetofvehiclesavailabletoveterans.

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Countyveteransrelieffundsmaybepotentialfinancialpartners.Forexample,thefund
managerforStevensCountysveteranreliefprogramindicatedawillingnesstoconsiderfunding
partnershipsforprogramsandservicesthatwouldbenefitveterans.
Therefore,severalpartsandpiecesofaneffectiveveteransmedicalaccesssystemdoexistinthetri
countyarea.Aspecificfollowupstudyisneededtoexplorewaystoincreasemedicalaccess
opportunitiesforveteransacrossthetricountyarea.Atargetedserviceplan,includingadditional
operationalfundingandstaffingfortheStevensCountyvan,andthenewFerryCountyvanisneeded.
Inaddition,thestudyshouldengagepolicymakersattheVAandthethreeregionalmedicalfacilitiesin
Ferry,StevensandPendOreilleCounty,toexplorewaystoincreasetheavailabilityofVAauthorized
medicalserviceswithinthetricountyareaandreducetheneedfortraveltoSpokane.
TRANSITSTAFFINGNEEDS
5.8.1. INDIVIDUALTRANSITAGENCYSTAFFINGNEEDS
Ingeneral,transportationprovidersinterviewedfortheprojectfelttheyareadequatelystaffedfor
currentservices,butnotedthatadditionalfundingwouldbeneededtoemployqualifiedstaffinorderto
increaseservicefrequenciesoraddnewservices.Iffundingwereavailable,SMSwouldbenefitinthe
neartermfromadditionaldispatchingandofficestaff.
5.8.2. REGIONALMOBILITYMANAGER
Whileindividualagencystaffingresourcesmaybeadequatetocontinuecurrentservices,allocatingstaff
resourcesforongoingfacilitationandmanagementofthetricountytransitcommitteeisdifficult.
Committeemembersmayrotateasmeetingchairpersonstohelpsharetheadministrativeburden;
howevertobetrulyeffective,theworkofthiscommitteewillrequireagreaterlevelofsupport.A
designatedcoordinatorisneededtoprepareagendasandkeepminutes,monitoractionitemsand
commitmentsofcommitteemembers,facilitatetheactivitiesofthegroupbetweenmeetings,expand
regionalrelationships,andmanagethecoordinatedserviceplanninginitiativesdescribedinChapter6.
AregionalmobilitymanagerpositionforNEWRTPOwouldfulfillthisrole.
NEEDFORIMPROVEDRIDERINFORMATIONANDINCENTIVES
Severalbarrierswereidentifiedthatarelikelyinhibitingpeoplefromtakingadvantageofavailable
transportationservices.
5.9.1. ACCURATEANDEASILYACCESSIBLERIDERINFORMATION
Inresearchinginformationonavailableservicesinthetricountyarea,theprojectteamfoundit
challengingtoconstructacompletepicture.Mosttransportationprovidershavewebsitesfortheir
agencies;howeverinsomeinstancestransitinformationpresentedonlinewasfoundtobeoutdatedor

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incomplete.Mapsand/orspecificaddressinformationforstoplocationswerenotuniversallyavailable.
Inafewcases,informationpresentedononewebsiteconflictedwithinformationonanother.Given
thatfindingaccurateonlineinformationwasanarduoustaskfortheprojectteam,itfollowsthatitis
alsocurrentlydifficultforpotentialriderstounderstandavailableservices,includingwhereandhowto
accessthem.ThisisakeyfindingoftheCPTHSTPprocess,andanissuethatshouldberectifiedassoon
aspossible.
5.9.2. COSTBARRIERFORGOLDLINE
AfinancialbarrierwasidentifiedforaccesstotheGoldLinebyeconomicallydisadvantagedindividuals.
Avoucherprogramthatwouldallowlowincomeindividualstoaccessthissignificantregional
transportationresourceisneeded.
5.9.3. INFORMATIONFORMULTIMODALTRAVELERSANDVISITORS
Improvedinformationontransituseforpeopletravellingbybicycleisneeded,asdescribedinSection
5.5,aswellasastudyofopportunitiestojointlymarkettransitandtouristservicesasaneconomic
developmentstrategyfortheregion.
5.9.4. COSTEFFECTIVEACCESSFORAGINGANDDISABLEDPEOPLE
Thecostofhumanservicestransportationcanbeconsiderableinrural
areas,asvehiclesoftentransportasinglepassengeroverlong
distances.Numerouscaseshaveshownthatmovingonlyasmall
proportionofMedicaidparatransitclientstofixedroutetransitservice
savestheMedicaidagencyverylargesumsofmoneywithoutincreasing
fixedrouteoperatingcosts.
1
However,accesstofixedrouteservicesis
challengingforagingordisabledpeoplewhoneedspecialassistance
gettingto,from,onandoffthebus.Programstohelpagingand
disabledparatransitridersaccessfixedroutesystemswheneverfeasible
areneeded.

1
TransportationCooperativeResearchProgramReport101,ToolkitforRuralCommunityCoordinatedTransportationServices,2004.

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6. COORDINATEDSERVICEPLAN
Inadditiontosustainingexistingtransportationservices,recommendationsforNEWRTPOandregional
transitprovidersincludesuggestionsformanagingandimprovingtheconvenienceandefficiencyof
service,andstrategiesforserviceexpansionasfundingallows.Thischapterincludesoverarching
planningandcoordinationrecommendationsthatarefoundationaltothelongtermdevelopmentofan
effectivepublictransithumantransportationsystemforthetricountyarea.
REGIONALTRANSITOBJECTIVES
AstheCPTHSTPwasprepared,asetofregionalobjectiveswasdevelopedforthetransitcommittees
useincoordinatingserviceandprioritizingfuturefundingrequests.Theseobjectives,shownbelow,
alignwithstakeholderinputreceivedduringtheplanningprocess.Theyarealsoconsistentwiththe
regionsoveralltransportationgoals,whichcanbefoundinNEWRTPOsRegionalTransportationPlan.

RegionalTransitObjectives
Preserveandmaintainexistingservicesandtransportationassets.
Improveinformation,marketing,andongoingcoordinationofavailableservices.
Supportserviceforsocioeconomicallyandphysicallydisadvantagedpeopleand
veteransinthetricountyregion.
Prioritizeweekdayservice.
Asfundingpermits,targetunmetneedsthataredocumentedintheCPTHSTP,
emphasizingexpansionofservicetolocaltricountydestinations.
Developmoresecurefundingsources.
Advocateforadditionaltransitfundingandprogramsthatbenefitthetricounty
region.

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NEARTERMOPERATIONALSTRATEGIES
Thefollowingrouteandstoprefinementsaresuggested,basedontheprojectteamsreviewofcurrent
stopsandschedulesanddiscussionswithtransitproviders.
6.2.1. INTERCOUNTYCONNECTIONS
CurrentlythereisnophysicalinterfacebetweentheGoldLineinStevensCountyandKALTRANinPend
OreilleCounty,althoughthetworoutescomewithin2.4milesofeachotherastheyextendsouthinto
SpokaneCounty.IfasouthboundKALTRANridercouldconnecttothenorthboundGoldLine(orvice
versa)itwouldestablishatransitconnectionbetweenPendOreilleandStevensCounty.Whilenot
especiallyconvenientduetotheoutofdirectiontravelinvolved,theconnectionwouldatleastprovide
astopgapoptionuntilfundingallowsimplementationofanewconnectingroutebetweenPendOreille
andStevensCounty.
InnorthSpokane,TheGoldLinestopsatSTAsHastingsParkandRide.KALTRANstopsatWalmartat
theY,approximately2.4milesaway.Thecostofconnectingthesetwoservicesshouldbeevaluated,
andifpossible,animprovedconnectionmade.TheHastingsParkandRideisanappropriateregional
accesslocationfortheGoldLine,andaddinganothernearbystopattheWalmartwouldbeinconsistent
withtheintercityservicesmissiontoprovidedirect,expressconnectionsbetweencitycenters.
Therefore,itappearsthataminordeviationtoKALTRANsexistingroute(asshowninFigure29)maybe
thebestoptionformakingthisconnection.
AccesstotheregionalParkandRidefacilitywouldalsogiveKALTRANridersexpandedaccesstoSTAs
transitnetwork.(STAscloseststoptoKALTRANsWalmartstopisapproximately0.2milesaway.)The
costofaddingtheParkandRidestop,includingadditionaltraveltime,fuel,vehiclehours,etc.may
justifyanincrementalincreaseinfederaloperationalfundingforKALTRAN.

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Figure29.SuggestedKALTRAN/GoldLineConnection

6.2.2. JOINTPROCUREMENTSTRATEGIES
AnimmediatestrategythatNEWRTPOcanbegintopromoteisthejointprocurementoftransitfacilities
andequipment.Forvehicles,manytransitprovidersarefamiliarwithWSDOTsprocessesthatguidethe
procurementofvehiclespurchasedwithfederalfunding.InWashingtonState,RCW39.34allows
cooperativepurchasingbetweenpublicagencies,andanagencythatneedstoprocureonlyonevehicle
mayfinditadvantageoustopiggybackonanorderofsimilarfederallyfundedvehiclesbyanother
agency.
Anoftenoverlookedopportunityforjointprocurementisthepurchaseandinstallationoftransitstop
improvementsortheconstructionofpedestrianandbicyclefacilitiestoaccommodatetransitaccess
whenroadwayprojectsareimplemented.Itissignificantlymorecosteffectivetoaddstopfurnishings
ornonmotorizedimprovementstoaroadwayconstructionprojectthantoundertakeseparateproject
developmentprocessesforthesesmallerimprovements.Increasedcollaborationbetweenlocal
WALMARTATTHEY
(KALTRANSTOP)
STAHASTINGSPARKANDRIDE
(GOLDLINESTOP)
CurrentKALTRAN
Route
GoldLine
Route
Suggested
KALTRAN
Route

|69
roadwayjurisdictionsandtransitcommitteememberswouldbeneededtoidentifyopportunitiesearly
enoughtocoordinatefunding.
LONGERTERMOPERATIONALSTRATEGIES
6.3.1. STREAMLININGFIXEDROUTEOPTIONSFORRIDERS
Consistentandfrequentservicebyasingleproviderismuchmoreconvenientforcustomersthan
adjustingtravelplanstoaccessdifferentprovidersondifferentdaysoftheweek.Iffundingallows
serviceexpansionoverthelongterm,thetricountytransitcommitteeshouldconsiderreducingthe
numberoffixedrouteprovidersoperatingwithinthesamegeographicareawheneverpossible.
Forexample,inPendOreilleCounty,commuterservicebetweenCusickandSpokaneisprovidedbya
differentprovider(KALTRAN)thantheNewporttoSpokaneshuttleservice(SMS).Neitherprovider
currentlyhasthefundingneededtoofferserviceacrossallfiveweekdaysKALTRANlacksFridayservice
andtheSMSshuttledoesnotoperateTuesdays.Futureanalysisisrecommendedforthisarea,to
evaluatethepotentialeffectivenessofshiftingtoasingleproviderforcommuterservicefromCusick
throughNewporttoSpokane,MondaythroughFridaythatwouldmeettheneedsofbothridergroups.
6.3.2. SERVICEEXPANSIONSTRATEGIES
SEASONALSERVICEINCREASES
Whenfundingforserviceexpansionislimited,providerscanbeginbyincreasingserviceincrementally
whereseasonalneedsaregreatest.Forexample,winterroadanddrivingconditionswasaconcern
expressedduringthecommunityoutreachprocess.Iffundingisnotavailableforyearroundservice
expansion,strategicallyincreasingfrequencyofserviceduringwintermonthscanhelpaddressthisneed
byofferingasafeandreliablealternativetowinterdriving.
CONSIDERTHETRICOUNTYFIRST
AnumberofcurrenttransitservicesextendfromPendOreilleandStevenscountiestoSpokane.
Spokaneisanimportantdestinationasindicatedbypublicsurveyresponsesandstakeholderinterviews
duringtheproject;however,manyessentialmedical,shoppingandotherservicesexistwithinthetri
countyarea.WhenfundingforincreasedserviceandconnectionstoSpokaneisproposed,thetri
countytransitcommitteeshoulddiscusswhetherthestatedneedcanbeaddressedbyimproving
connectionstoNewport,Chewelah,Colville(theregionslargesturbancenter)and/orRepublic.This
maynotalwaysbethecase,andincreasedconnectionstoSpokanewilllikelycontinuetobeneeded.
However,aregularpracticeofposingthequestionwillhelptobuildabroaderawarenessoftransitasan
assetforeconomicdevelopmentinthetricountyarea.

Inassociationwith

|70
KEYPLANNINGANDCOORDINATIONINITIATIVES
Thetricountytransitcommitteeisatacriticaljuncture.Thegroups
coordinationforumisinplace,andthecommitteememberships
representsanextensivebodyofknowledgeandexperience.The
stageissetforincreasedintegrationoftransitintotheregions
overallcommunityandeconomicdevelopmentgoals.Totakethe
transitcommitteetonextlevel,however,willrequirenewtactics.
Thestrategiesdescribedbelowarerecommendedaskeystonesofaneffectiveregionalcoordination
program.
6.4.1. MOBILITYMANAGEMENTPROGRAM
Thecreationofamobilitymanagementprogramisrecommendedforthetricountyregion,witha
dedicatedstaffpersontofacilitatetheworkofNEWRTPOstransitcommitteeandmanageregional
initiatives.
Suggestedresponsibilitiesforthemobilitymanagercouldinclude:
Prepareagendasandkeepminutesforregionaltransitcommitteemeetings.
Facilitatetransitcommitteeactivitiesandcommunicationbetweenmeetings.Monitoraction
itemsandcommitmentsoftransitcommitteememberstohelpassurefollowthrough.
ExpandNEWRTPOsrelationshipswithemergencymanagementorganizations,veterans
servicesorganizations,humanservicesgroupsandlocalgovernmentalagencieswithinthetri
countyarea,aswellastransitplannersinSpokaneandotherareasofeasternWashington.
Explorepartnershipstoimprovethetricountyareascompetitivepositionforfundingandhelp
toincreaseNEWRTPOsvoiceandinfluencewithrespecttostatewidepolicymakingonrural
transitissues.
Worktoraisepublicawarenessaboutavailabletransitservicesandregionaltransitfunding
issues.
Manageregionaltransitstudiesandothercoordinatedserviceplanninginitiativesasidentified
andapprovedbyNEWRTPO.
Thepositionsactualdutieswouldneedtobetailoredtothenumberofstaffhoursthatcanbefunded.
WSDOToffersagrantprogramspecificallyformobilitymanagement,whichcanincludefundingforstaff
and/orcontractedservices.Theregionalinitiativesrecommendedbelowwouldhavehigherlikelihood
ofsuccessfulimplementationunderamobilitymanagementprogram.
Whatgotyouhere
wontgetyouthere.
Dr.MarshallGoldsmith

|71
6.4.2. RIDERINFORMATION
Asignificant,overarchingneedidentifiedbyalltransportationprovidersisimprovedinformationand
marketingofavailabletransportationservices.Centralizedonlinetoolsandregionaltimetablesare
neededtoprovideconsistentinformationonroutes,schedulesandotherinformationonhowtoridefor
potentialcustomers.
Ariderinformationandincentivesprogramisrecommended,includingthefollowingstrategies:
GoogleTransit.GoogleTransitisanonlinetripplanningsystembasedonGoogleMapsthatis
usedbytransitprovidersacrossthecountry(andinfact,allovertheworld).Fixedroutetransit
providersuploadinformationontheiravailableroutes,stoplocationsandschedulestothe
Googlesystem.Googleintegratesthedatasothatpassengerscangotoasinglewebsitetoplan
theirtransittrip,eventripsthatinvolvemultipleserviceproviders.
UsingGoogleTransit,ridersonlyneedentertheirtripstartingandstoppingpoints,andthe
timestheywouldliketotravel.TheGoogleTransitsystemmapsoutpotentialroutesthatare
availableviatransit,andprovidesclear,easytofollowdirections.SpokaneTransitsroutes,
stopsandschedulesareallavailableinGoogleTransit,soaddinginformationonfixedroutes
andstopsinthetricountyareawouldallowseamlesstripplanningforanyonetravellingby
transitwithinthetricountyarea,orbeyond.
AcriticalconsiderationwithGoogleTransitisthatonlinedatamustbekeptcurrent.Outdated
orinaccurateinformationcanbeworsethannoinformationatall.Passengerswillquicklylose
confidenceintripplanningtoolsiftheyfindthemselvesdelayedorstrandedafterrelyingon
inaccurateinformation.CentralizedmanagementofGoogleTransitdataandaprocessfor
assuringdataqualityisthereforerecommended.Beforeembarkingonthisinitiative,theregion
shouldhavestaffresourcesallocatedforregularGoogleTransitupdates.

Inassociationwith

|72
RegionalTimetable.Creationofasimple,printable,regionaltimetabledocumentwouldalso
helppotentialriderstounderstandtransportationservicesavailableinthetricountyarea.This
documentshouldalsobekeptcurrentasserviceadjustmentsaremade.
CentralizedWebsite/SocialMedia.Anotherstrategyforavoidingduplicativeandconflictingon
lineinformationisforthetricountytransitcommitteetodevelopacentralwebsiteasan
informationclearinghouse.Individualprovidersshouldnotpostinformationaboutservices
offeredbyothersontheirsites,butinsteadlinktoacentralsitewherecustomerscanbe
assuredoffindingthemostcurrent,accurateinformation.
AwebsiteandFacebookpagewascreatedforthisCPTHSTPprojectthatcouldbetransferredto
NEWRTPOforthetransitcommitteesongoinguse.Whiletherearenofeesassociatedwith
thesetools,staffresourceswouldbeneededtoadministerthem.IfNEWRTPOelectstoseek
fundingforamobilitymanagementprogram,administrationofacentralizedwebsiteandsocial
mediatoolsforthetricountytransitproviderscouldbeincluded.
6.4.3. RIDERINCENTIVES
Notallhumanservicestransportationcustomersareabletousefixedroutebussystemsduetospecial
mobilityissues.Providingincentivesforthosewhocan,however,willimprovetheoverallcost
effectivenessoftransportationservicesintheregion.
GoldLineVoucherProgram.Developmentofapilotvoucherprogramisrecommendedthat
wouldhelpremovefinancialbarriersforeconomicallydisadvantagedpeopleinaccessingthe
GoldLineintercitybus.ThisprojectwouldrequirecollaborationbetweenWSDOT,GoldLines
Figure30.TripPlanningUsingGoogleTransit

|73
operator,andotherNEWRTPOmemberagencies.TheVeteransReliefBoardinStevensCounty
haspreviouslypurchasedGoldLineticketsforeconomicallydisadvantagedveteransandshould
alsobeincluded.
TravelTrainingProgramforParatransitRiders.Atrainingprogramforhumanservices
agencies,veteransorganizationsandparatransitridersonhowtoplantripsandridefixed
routescanhelpexpandmobilityoptionsforpeoplethatarecurrentlydependentonparatransit
service.Tobeeffective,thiswouldfirstrequire
attentiontotheriderinformationissues
discussedabove.
TripEndEscortand/orTravelCompanion
Program.Mostfixedroutetransportation
servicesoffervehiclesthatarewheelchair
accessible.Someolderindividualsandpeople
withdisabilitieswhocurrentlyrelyon
paratransitservicesmaybeabletoridefixed
routeserviceswithspecialassistanceateachendofthetransittrip.Helptravellingtothebus
stop,boardingandalightingthebus,andtravellingtotheindividualsfinaldestinationmaybe
needed.Aridematchprogramcouldalsoscreenandtrainregulartransitriderswhomaybe
willingtovolunteerastravelcompanionsforelderlyordisabledriders.
6.4.4. FUTURESTUDIES
Severalfuturestudiesarerecommendedtocomplementtheregionscoordinatedtransitprogram.
BicycleandPedestrianAccessStudy.Mosttransittripsincludesomeformofnonmotorized
travel.Transitriderswalkorbicyclefromtheirpointsoforigin,andtotheirdestinations,at
eachendofatransittrip.Transittripscanalsoincludenonmotorizedtravelbetweentransit
stopstomaketransfers.HenceADAaccessiblepedestrianfacilitiesandasafeandeffective
bicyclenetworkareessentialfortransitaccessibility.Afuturestudyoffixedroutetransitstop
locationswouldidentifyaccessiblerouteimprovementsandbike/pedestriansafetyneeds.(This
analysiscouldbedoneregionally,orindividuallybyeachfixedrouteprovider.)
TransitandTourismStudy.ThetricountyregionishometoportionsoftheSelkirkScenicLoop
andthenortherntieroftheUSBicycleRoute.NationalForestareasarealsopopular
destinationsforoutdoorrecreation.Peoplevisitingtheareainrecreationalvehiclesoron
bicyclemaybepotentialtransitridersasthetransitsystemexpands.Afuturestudytolookat
howtransitmaybeusedtoincreaseaccessto,andjointlymarketedwith,theSelkirkLoopand
otherrecreational/visitordestinationsisrecommended.

Inassociationwith

|74
VeteransMedicalAccessPlan.Resourcesforveteransmedicalaccessexistintheregion,as
describedinChapter4.Howeverconnectionsfromruralareasareextremelylimited,anda
studytoexamineimprovedaccesstomedicalservicesforveteransisneededasdocumentedin
Chapter5.ThisshouldbeacollaborativeeffortwiththeVeteransAdministrationandregional
medicalfacilityleaders.Thestudyshouldnotonlyexaminetransportationoptions,butalso
considerincreasingtheavailabilityofmedicalservicesforveteransinRepublic,Colvilleand
Newport,toreducetheamountofSpokanetravelrequired.Alistofveteransreliefcommittee
contactsineachcountyareprovidedinAppendixGtoassistwithoutreachforthiscoordination
initiative.
6.4.5. FUNDINGNEEDS
Table9providesasummaryofinvestmentswhichshouldbeconsideredforfundinginthenearterm,
basedontheneedsandgapsoutlinedinChapter5.Recommendedtransitinvestmentsarecategorized
byoperationalneeds(fundingtocontinueexistingessentialservicesandexpandtounservedand
underservedareas),capitalneeds(vehicles,equipment,facilitiesandotherinfrastructure),andplanning
initiativestohelpimproveregionaltransitcoordination.
Aninventoryofpublicandprivatefundingprogramswhichmaybehelpfulinimplementingthisplanis
providedinAppendixE.

Description
Catholic Community Services
Volunteer/Coordinator Program
Sustain volunteer driver and coordinator programs for special
needs transportation.
X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
KALTRAN Fixed Route Services Sustain fixed-route service between Ione, Usk and Spokane. X X X
Tribal Transit Program
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Rural Resources Commuter Shuttle
Sustain route-deviated commuter transportation service for the
general public connecting Kettle Falls, Colville and Chewelah.
X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Rural Resources Demand Response
Services
Sustain demand response service to the general public. X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
SMS Newport Shuttle
Sustain general public route-deviated service between Newport
and Spokane 4 days per week (M, W, Th, F).
X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Moccasin Express Deviated Fixed Route
Services
Sustain route-deviated service for the benefit of people with low
incomes to access jobs and job-related activities.
X X X
Tribal Transit Program
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Moccasin Express Paratransit Services Sustain paratransit operations. X X X
Tribal Transit Program
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Colville Confederated Tribes Deviated
Fixed Route Service
Sustain public route-deviated service between Inchellium and
Nespelem M-F.
X X X
Tribal Transit Program
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Gold Line
Sustain inter-city public transportation between Kettle Falls,
Colville, Chewelah and Spokane.
X X X WSDOT - FTA 5311f
Increase Frequency of Service on Existing
Routes
Add new runs and additional days of service to respond to un-
met demand on existing routes.
X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Tribal Transit Program
Expand Regional Connections
Add new connections between providers to increase regional
mobility by transit. Expand service to currently unserved and
underserved areas in the tri-county region.
X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Tribal Transit Program
Tribal Transportation Program
Transportation Alternatives Program
WSDOT STP (Local Programs) Funding
Federal Lands Access Program
Project Name
Table 9. Funding Needs
O
P
E
R
A
T
I
O
N
S
:


E
X
I
S
T
I
N
G

S
E
R
V
I
C
E
S
Potential Funding Sources
1
.


P
r
e
s
e
r
v
e

a
n
d

M
a
i
n
t
a
i
n
2
.


I
n
f
o
,

M
a
r
k
e
t
i
n
g
,

C
o
o
r
d
3
.


D
i
s
a
d
v
a
n
t
a
g
e
d

a
n
d

V
e
t
s
4
.


P
r
i
o
r
i
t
i
z
e

W
e
e
k
d
a
y
s
5
.


T
a
r
g
e
t

U
n
m
e
t

N
e
e
d
s
6
.


D
e
v
e
l
o
p

S
e
c
u
r
e

F
u
n
d
i
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g
7
.


A
d
v
o
c
a
t
e

f
o
r

T
r
a
n
s
i
t
Regional Objectives
N
E
W

S
E
R
V
I
C
E
S
Description Project Name
Table 9. Funding Needs
Potential Funding Sources
1
.


P
r
e
s
e
r
v
e

a
n
d

M
a
i
n
t
a
i
n
2
.


I
n
f
o
,

M
a
r
k
e
t
i
n
g
,

C
o
o
r
d
3
.


D
i
s
a
d
v
a
n
t
a
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e
d

a
n
d

V
e
t
s
4
.


P
r
i
o
r
i
t
i
z
e

W
e
e
k
d
a
y
s
5
.


T
a
r
g
e
t

U
n
m
e
t

N
e
e
d
s
6
.


D
e
v
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l
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F
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7
.


A
d
v
o
c
a
t
e

f
o
r

T
r
a
n
s
i
t
Regional Objectives
Human Services Transport Vehicles
New or replacement wheelchair-equipped vehicle purchases for
special needs transport by human services agencies.
X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Replacement Public Transportation
Vehicles
Replacement of existing vehicles in the regional public
transportation fleet as their useful life expires. New vehicles
should be wheelchair-accessible.
X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Public Transportation Vehicles for Service
Expansion
New wheelchair-accessible vehicle purchases needed for service
expansion that addresses unmet needs.
X X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
WSDOT - FTA 5311f
Backup Vehicles
Purchase wheelchair-accessible backup vehicles to improve the
reliability of the regional public transportation fleet.
X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Vehicle Bicycle Racks
Purchase of bicycle racks for retrofit on existing public
transportation vehicles.
X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Transportation Alternatives Program
Bus Shelters
Purchase and install bus shelters for rider protection and
convenience.
X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Tribal Transit Program
Tribal Transportation Program
Transportation Alternatives Program
WSDOT STP (Local Programs) Funding
Maintenance Facility Expansion
Expansion of existing KALTRAN maintenance facility to
accommodate public transportation fleet.
X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Bike/Ped Connections for Transit
Provide improved bicycle and ADA access to regional transit stop
locations.
X X Transportation Alternatives Program
Technology
Equipment such as on-board cameras, radios, Wi-Fi and other
systems to improve safety, efficiency and effectiveness.
Taxi Purchases
Wheelchair-equipped taxi purchases to address needs identified
for private taxi services as a safety net for social services
agencies.
X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant (Exclusive ride taxi
operators are not eligible for federal funding, but
may purchase accessible vehicles under contract
to an eligible recipient or subrecipient.)
C
A
P
I
T
A
L
(
V
E
H
I
C
L
E
S
,

E
Q
U
I
P
M
E
N
T
,

F
A
C
I
L
I
T
I
E
S

A
N
D


I
N
F
R
A
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
)
Description Project Name
Table 9. Funding Needs
Potential Funding Sources
1
.


P
r
e
s
e
r
v
e

a
n
d

M
a
i
n
t
a
i
n
2
.


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,

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a
r
k
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t
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,

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d
3
.


D
i
s
a
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n
t
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d

a
n
d

V
e
t
s
4
.


P
r
i
o
r
i
t
i
z
e

W
e
e
k
d
a
y
s
5
.


T
a
r
g
e
t

U
n
m
e
t

N
e
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d
s
6
.


D
e
v
e
l
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p

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g
7
.


A
d
v
o
c
a
t
e

f
o
r

T
r
a
n
s
i
t
Regional Objectives
Regional Mobility Management Program
Part-time coordinator to facilitate tri-county transit committee,
manage regional transit initiatives, expand relationships with
other eastern Washington transit groups, and organize advocacy
initiatives. In addition to coordinator salary, request for
2015/2016 biennium should include funding for contracted
support to develop regional transit management and marketing
tools, launch Google Transit and prepare regional timetable.
Development of rider incentives such as travel training and rider
escort programs could also be functions of this program.
X X X X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Veterans Medical Access Service Plan
Explore cooperative agreement, service plan and schedule for
joint use of existing veterans transport vans. Requires
collaboration with VA on medical transportation reimbursement
policy. Consider incorporating discussion of increasing medical
services available for veterans within the tri-county area.
X X X X
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
US Dept of Health and Human Svcs Grant
Possible seed money from veterans relief fund in
each county and/or Ferry County Health
Foundation
Transit/Tourism Study
Future study to look at how transit may be jointly marketed with
the Selkirk Loop and other recreational/visitor destinations, and
used as an asset for economic development.
X X X
Federal Lands Access Program
Transportation Alternatives Program
Bicycle and Pedestrian-Transit Access
Study
Study of fixed route transit stop locations to identify accessible
route improvements and pedestrian safety needs. (Could be
done regionally, or individually by each fixed route provider.)
X X
Transportation Alternatives Program
WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
Gold Line Voucher Demonstration Project
Pilot project to create and implement a voucher program, to
increase access to the Gold Line for economically disadvantaged
people in the tri-county region.
X X X WSDOT - Consolidated Grant
P
L
A
N
N
I
N
G

The following planning projects are recommended to be addressed under the regional mobility management program

Inassociationwith

|78
7. GLOSSARYOFACRONYMS
ADAAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct
ALTCEWAgingandLongTermCareofEastern
Washington
ARESAmateurRadioEmergencyServices
CCTDOTColvilleConfederatedTribe
DepartmentofTransportation
CEMPComprehensiveEmergency
ManagementPlan
CPTHSTPCoordinatedPublicTransitHuman
ServicesTransportationPlan
DAVDisabledAmericanVeterans
FHWAFederalHighwayAdministration
FTAFederalTransitAdministration
KALTRANKalispelTransitSystem
NBTANationalBusTicketingAssociation
NEWRTPONortheastWashingtonRegional
TransportationPlanningOrganization
OCTNOkanoganCountyTransportationand
Nutrition
PBTAPublicTransportationBenefitArea
QHSOQualifiedHumanServicesOrganization
RRCARuralResourcesCommunityAction
SCCSpokaneCommunityColleges
SMSSpecialMobilityServices
STASpokaneTransitAuthority
TACTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
TEDDTriCountyEconomicDevelopment
District
USBRUnitedStatesBikeRoute
VAUSDepartmentofVeteransAffairs
VTSVeteransTransportationService
WSDOTWashingtonDepartmentof
Transportation
WSUWashingtonStateUniversity

|79

AppendixMaterialsProvidedonCD
AppendixAPublicOutreach
AppendixBStakeholderInterviews
AppendixC2013TransitCommitteePublicSurvey
AppendixDRecommendedFutureSurveyQuestions
AppendixEFundingInventory
AppendixFSelfAssessmentSurvey
AppendixGVeteransServiceContacts