PRT buses start rolling into new home

Public transportation is getting a little bit safer, according to the Pocatello Regional Transit officials during Tuesday’s grand opening of its new station south of town, across the street from the Bannock County Sheriff’s office.

While the former transit center was completely falling apart, dilapidated, crumbling, and without proper lighting, PRT director Dave Hunt decided it was time for an upgrade.

But that was ten years ago, and a decade later, the new facility has finally come to fruition.

“I believe that now we will be in a position to better maintain our vehicles which means the safety of our passengers and the reliability of our service,” Hunt said.

Some PRT riders who wanted to remain anonymous say they are concerned the new facility is too far south of town, making it difficult for passengers to access during the harsh weathered months.

However, Hunt said he already thought of that.

In the past, PRT has had numerous ticket outlets such as: Albertson’s, Idaho State University, the Pine Ridge Mall, etc., and now the company wants to bring back those outlets so people can purchase their bus passes from within the local community.

He said the company is also in the planning stages to have a transfer facility that is more centrally-located at Cedar and Yellowstone Ave.

In the fall, he said tickets can also be purchased online, and for those who don’t have access to Internet, passengers can always call the station and have those ticket booklets sent to themselves via airmail.

Hunt added, along with the new facility providing enough resources to allow maintenance workers to properly work on the buses in order to provide safer modes of transportation to its passengers, the new location will provide enough space to allow a partnership with other bus providers such as: the INL, Salt Lake Express, and even both urban and rural services who also use this location as a bust stop and service station.