Group seeks volunteer drivers

By Meg Olson

“We have a strong board representing a good cross-section of the community. We’re not excluding anyone,” said Point Roberts transportation committee chair Joan Roberts as the fledgling group plans its first public meeting to mold a bus service for the Point.

The committee started as an informal ad hoc group to get the Whatcom Transport-ation Authority (WTA) to expand bus service to the Point. They got their wish in October when the WTA board voted to give the Point two community vans and let the community come up with their own schedule and pool of drivers.

The January 7 community meeting being planned is the chance for the community to do that, Roberts said. “If you want input, that’s where you need to give it,” she said.

So far the committee, made up of representatives from the PTO, the food bank, seniors, the high school, the economic development committee and the chamber of commerce, has come up with a loose structure for the community bus service but has not set a schedule.

“We’re working towards getting scheduled service running by February, looking at things like trips to Bellingham with stops in Blaine, trips around the Point to pick up seniors for lunch on Wednesdays, or on weekends so kids can visit friends,” she said. “Ultimately it depends on how many drivers we get. If we only have three we can’t do much.”

The goal is to have 20 volunteer drivers, ten primary and ten backup. Volunteers would need to go through a driving check, a day of training to drive the vans and provide a doctor’s verification they are physically fit to drive. The WTA pays for all insurance, gas and maintenance of the vans.

Where the vans go also depends on whether they can pick up in the U.S. and drop off in Canada, a question Roberts said they hope to have resolved before the January 7 meeting.

Roberts said fixed runs would be complemented by special trips. Groups could approach the board at a monthly meeting to book the van for a field trip or event.

The WTA has approved two community vans for Point Roberts but the program will start with one. “We’ll work the kinks out and add the second one as needed,” she said.

She said the program was also likely to evolve as policies are developed. “This is kind of a pilot project for the WTA and us looking at how to serve smaller communities.”

The public meeting will be at the community center January 7 at 7 p.m..
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In the meantime, there is always Dial A Ride
Don’t forget Dial-A-Ride! A small bus services Point Roberts every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. It leaves the community center a bit before 9 a.m., takes riders to Bellis Fair in Bellingham or it will drop you at the doctor’s office, etc.

Stops are also made at a supermarket. Around 2 p.m., the bus heads back to the Point. Handicapped people may be picked up at their home. You are required to make a reservation by calling 360/384-DIAL. This service is available to people of all ages at no cost.

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