December 6, 2007

More riders needed to keep free bus service

Ritzville resident Terri Nelson is championing the services provided from Specialty Mobility Services, a free bus service funded through a Washington State Department of Transportation grant.

Nelson was available to provide information and answer questions for area residents during the Christmas Kick-off last week in downtown Ritzville.

According to what she was told while riding the bus, “If we don’t get our numbers up we’ll lose this service.”

Anyone and everyone may use the free bus service between Ritzville, Sprague and Spokane. Trips are scheduled weekly on Tuesday and Thursday.

Call 1-877-264-RIDE (7433) 24 hours ahead to schedule pick up service at a rider’s door in the Ritzville city limits.

Departure and arrival times in Ritzville are 7:45 to 8 a.m. and 3:45 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The bus stops in Sprague both ways.

In Spokane, the bus provides service to the downtown Spokane area including shopping, library, Spokane Transit Authority Bus Plaza, to other locations, Greyhound bus, up to the hospital district on the south side and the veteran’s hospital. Other requests are considered and the airport is a stop upon request.

The bus is ADA compliant, and if a rider is in a wheelchair, assistance is provided to inside the door.