Planning process focus is on public transportation

SANDPOINT — Panhandle residents are invited to join in a planning process for developing and maximizing public transportation resources in Idaho.

A meeting on the project is set for 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 at the Panhandle State Bank's Financial & Technical Center.

The planning process, which was developed by the public and implemented by the Idaho Transportation Department, is part of a statewide planned called Idaho's Mobility and Access Pathway. The IMAP process promotes transportation coordination in a way that emphasizes customers' needs, local involvement, leadership and decision-making.

Two local Mobility Management Networks are forming in northern Idaho and residents are encouraged to participate and help explore ways to coordinate existing resources. The mobility resources include local bus and van services, park-and-ride lots, carpooling, in addition to bike and pedestrian facilities and rail resources.

"This is a unique opportunity for people to get involved locally and help design a better mobility system for their area and their needs," said area coordinator Susan Kiebert.

The effort will also be used to guide future development.

The IMAP process is designed to support Idaho's quality of life while maximizing and coordinating the use of existing transportation resources, said Randy Kyrias, administrator for ITD's Division of Public Transportation.

"We've learned the density of our population and our challenging geography do not make mobility less necessary in Idaho," he said. "Rather, it makes it more challenging."

Through participation in a Local Mobility Management Network, people can learn about existing resources and work with local stakeholders to realign or develop those resources in a more meaningful way. One network involves Bonner and Boundary counties, while the other concerns Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties.

"By putting the mobility planning, coordination and system-design responsibilities in the hands of local customers and leaderships, Idaho communities have a great chance to build a mobility network that works best for them," Kiebert said.

Each local network will produce a coordination plan which outlines how people intend to operate their local system and prioritizes mobility projects and ideas which they support.