ITD Takes a Look at Public Transportation, Seeks Coordinators

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking two people from nonprofit groups to evaluate and help coordinate public transportation throughout the state.

It is part of Idaho’s Workforce Transportation Initiative. Cities such as Twin Falls that don’t have a bus system will still be able to benefit from the outreach, said ITD’s Kim McGourty.

“There’s an influx of workforce in Twin Falls,” she said. “The area would greatly benefit from this.”

One coordinator will coordinate in Region 1, or northern Idaho. The other will coordinate public transportation in regions 4, 5 and 6, which includes the Magic Valley. Region 3, which comprises Ada County and surrounding area, is managed directly by the Boise office.

The two selected coordinators will meet with employers in their regions and help “bridge the gap amongst all modes of transportation,” McGourty said. Options they will look at include carpooling, vanpooling, bus systems and even bicycle routes, among other possibilities.

“They’ll assess needs and, if wanted by employers, help with trip designs for employees from home to the office,” she said.

The department also will soon be launching a software program called Share the Ride Idaho that will allow site visitors to pair up in a carpool or vanpool and learn about other commuter options in their area.

Gas prices have been relatively low the past several months – at levels not seen since the recession started, according to a report by AAA – mainly due to abundant supplies and low crude oil costs. That means more people are filling up their tanks and hitting the road.

According to a recent transit report by the American Public Transportation Association, however, individuals who use public transportation still save an average of $764 per month.

Potential public transportation coordinators, who can apply for one of the two positions on ITD’s website, must currently be working for a nonprofit organization to qualify. Application deadline is March 20. The two advocates will begin coordinating public transportation on May 1.