Pullman-Moscow bus shuttle closer to reality
Service hoping to get funding to start in July; new routes also include Colfax, Albion
MOSCOW — With some financial assistance, there will likely be a new free bus service connecting Moscow, Pullman and Colfax starting this summer.
COAST, a transportation service based in Colfax, applied for funding from the Washington State Department of Transportation to help finance the service. COAST Director Paige Collins gave an update on the project Monday during the Moscow City Council meeting.
She told the council there would be two bus routes running 6 a.m.-7 p.m. six days a week. One route would connect Colfax, Albion and Pullman. The other route would shuttle between Pullman and Moscow.
Collins said the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization gave the project an “A” grade, which means “it should be funded.” With funding in place, the bus routes would begin July 1.
WSDOT would provide 95% of the operations cost for the first two years and 80% of the cost to buy two new buses. COAST is now asking community entities like the city of Moscow to help fund the remaining $13,000 cost.
Collins and COAST Manager Aly Sterman told the City Council that Moscow is a preferred destination among its customers because of its events, shopping and medical services.
“I think it’s a huge asset to all of the towns, but I think our biggest shining star would be bringing people into Moscow,” Collins said.
The Moscow bus stops are not yet finalized, but Sterman said they are considering stops near the Palouse Mall, near Gritman Medical Center, near the Moscow Rosauers grocery market, near DaVita Dialysis and one in east Moscow. Sterman said Moscow is the only city in the area that offers dialysis, so this shuttle system will make it easier for customers needing that service.
COAST will use 14-passenger buses. Collins said there’s no need to build new bus stop structures.
May is the deadline for Moscow to provide its funding share.
Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.
