TRPTA Lobbying For More Funding

A government-funded transportation company is looking for a hike in funds this year.

Targhee Regional Public Transportation Authority, better known as TRPTA, has been lobbying city councils around eastern Idaho as they set their yearly budgets.

Technically they can survive without more money, according to representatives. But TRPTA has a lot to make up for following the 2008 economic downturn.

Reporter Jessica Crandall caught up with Lee Staker in his Idaho Falls office Wednesday afternoon to discuss TRPTA’s budget.

Staker is a familiar face around the county as a commissioner. He also serves on TRPTA’s Board of Directors.

The transportation company relies on city and county financing, which is then matched with federal dollars.

“Every year we go out and ask for contributions,” said Staker.

For example, Idaho Falls puts in about $100,000 annually to the program, which benefits Medicaid patients and the disabled.

When it comes to TRPTA’s administrative needs, 50 percent comes from local donations and the other 50 percent is from the national government.

“We’re trying to get out more to the local areas to try and get them to participate,” said Staker.

That’s because since the recession hit, funds have taken a bit of a dip.

“Budgets have been tighter, people are pulling back, and so we’ve been trying to go out and re-establish those connections,” said Staker.

Rural areas, like Salmon and St. Anthony, especially need funding. The federal government will match 20 percent local donations with 80 percent federal backing in their case.

According to Staker, there is talk of Idaho Falls pulling funds out of TRPTA all together.

In that case, the transportation service would change dramatically. The company would transport patrons only when they call in for help.

TRPTA will do a study this year to move toward a scheduled route system with centralized stops, rather than the deviated system drivers use now.