SPOT announces route, stop changes
Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit officials announced Friday that a series of changes to routes and stops in the area.
Photo courtesy SELKIRKS-PEND OREILLE TRANSIT
SANDPOINT — It's going to be a smoother ride for Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit riders.
The transit authority announced Friday that it had added several stops on existing routes and moved several stops in Sandpoint and Kootenai. SPOT also added a few stops in Ponderay and one in Kootenai, Donna Griffin, SPOT executive director, said.
The changes were made with rider convenience and safety in mind, Griffin said.
In Ponderay, SPOT's Blue Route has new stops on Triangle Drive near Schralpenhaus and near Schweitzer Plaza Drive. The Green Route has new stops located on Schweitzer Plaza Drive close to Triangle Drive. In Kootenai, SPOT moved the stop on Railroad Avenue to McGhee Road between Second Avenue and Highway 200. Railroad Avenue will no longer receive service, Griffin said.
To improve timeliness, SPOT changed the location of its Sixth Avenue stop near Kaniksu Community Health and Super 1 Foods. The stop is now located on the Super 1 side of Sixth Avenue near the south side of the east entry/exit into the store's parking lot.
The goal, Griffin said, is to help SPOT drivers navigate the area better and to improve safety.
Griffin said safety concerns are also behind the move of the bus shelter on Kootenai Cutoff Road. The shelter is being moved to the west, away from the current location at the crosswalk and drive approach to Walmart.
"Many have witnessed safety concerns involving vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians in that area," Griffin said of the reason for the move.
Griffin reminded riders and community residents that SPOT's bus drivers put safety first. And, she added, that due to circumstances beyond their control, they may experience delays.
To ease frustrations and to help riders keep track of where the transit authority's buses are at any given time, Griffin said residents can access the live map/tracking information on SPOT's website — spotbus.org — on most devices, including cell phones.
"This tool can help you plan for your transportation needs," Griffin said.
A free public transit service, SPOT bus provides transportation services in Bonner and Boundary counties. Riders can access route information, live maps of bus locations, bus stops and more on the transit authority's website.
Information: Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit: online, spotbus.org; email, spotbus@spotbus.org; or by phone, 208-263-3774