Tribes launch new bus service between Missoula and Whitefish

 Bigfork Eagle

The Montana Department of Transportation has announced that Flathead Transit, a service of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, will implement new daily passenger service between Missoula and Whitefish effective Monday, Dec. 16.

 The new service will stop in Evaro, Arlee, Ravalli, Saint Ignatius, Pablo, Polson, Lakeside, Kalispell and Whitefish.

 “We’re excited to expand our transit service to include this new route,” said Corky Sias, manager of Flathead Transit. “This new service will be available to the general public and anyone needing transportation along this route. We are also proud to be partnering with Greyhound to offer service nationwide.”  Tickets can be purchased in St Ignatius (Stuart’s Cenex), Pablo (Quick Silver), Polson (Kwa Taq Nuk), and Kalispell (Brian’s Conoco).

 Montana Department of Transportation is providing federal funding for the new service, and Greyhound is providing the required match to help make the new service sustainable into the future.

No state or local funds are required because of the Greyhound match. “Connecting Missoula and Whitefish with a fixed route fills a void in Montana’s intercity system,” added David Jacobs, MDT Transit Section Supervisor. “This new service provides a connection to Greyhound, Amtrak and local and regional services in Missoula. More importantly, it reestablishes mobility options for Montanans who rely on public transit out of necessity or choice.”

The new service is being offered in cooperation with Greyhound Lines, Inc. as part of its growing Greyhound Connect services to small towns and rural communities throughout the nation. New Greyhound ticket agents in Kalispell, Polson, Pablo and Saint Ignatius will be able to sell tickets to anywhere Greyhound goes, and Flathead Transit will operate into the existing Greyhound terminal in Missoula (1660 W. Broadway). CEO, Greyhound.

Information about the service is available by calling 275-2877.