>Use it or lose it, is the message

The Point Roberts community van is looking for more drivers, more passengers and more places to go. �Their concern is we�re not using it as much as they�d like,� said organizer Joan Roberts after a recent meeting with Whatcom Transportation Authority staff. �They�d like to see us eventually using it six days a week, two trips per day.�

The community van, which got its start earlier this year, curently runs approximately ten trips a week, including shopping trips to Bellis Fair mall, Silver City for Tuesday cheap movies, senior lunch pickups around the Point or walking trips all over the county. The program now has 11 certified volunteer drivers who have completed the required four-hour course on how to drive the van.

�I�d like to see it used more for the kids,� Roberts said. �That�s part of the reason we went after it.� The van could be used to connect with the Saturday morning ski shuttle to Mt. Baker, to take families to concerts or sporting events, or for an outing in Vancouver. �Parents just need to come forward and ask for it,� Roberts said.

The catch is that every trip needs a volunteer driver, and the current pool of drivers isn�t enough to handle growth in trip requests. �The vision is if we had around 30 drivers each one would only drive one trip per month,� Roberts said. Interested drivers can pick up application material at Triple M Realty on Gulf Road or by calling the van info line at 945-2844. Drivers need a clean driving record.