Lincoln County Transportation teams with LOR to buy new van
Lincoln County Transportation has a new van that they purchased with the help of the LOR Foundation. Coordinator Ona Steward prepares to take one of their clients, Gary McVay, to the store for some weekly supplies. (Photo courtesy of Ona Steward)
Another community project backed by the LOR Foundation has benefited Lincoln County Public Transportation.
With LOR's grant of $29,500, the agency was able to purchase a new van in October.
The vehicle has been in service for a few months now and has been a great addition to the company, according to agency officials. It receives an average of more than 280 calls for rides per month.
Coordinator Ona Steward said, “Our biggest goals for the future are to help the people who are shut in, who have a hard time getting out of the house due to disabilities, to make their lives a little easier with helping them be able to get their basic needs.”
Lincoln County Transportation spent $11,000 to secure the new vehicle. The agency tried to purchase several vans in recent years, but ran into production delays and other roadblocks. When a van became available at a local dealership, staff at LCTS reached out to LOR for help.
Lincoln County Transportation has two vans on order after this as well. When coronavirus struck Lincoln County there was a shortage with parts for the vehicles. Lincoln County Transportation buys its vehicles right off the factory line. They typically stay local and the van they just purchased came from Timberline Auto Center.
What is not commonly known is that the Transportation Center provides public transportation center for anyone. People seeking a ride can call with a 24-hour notice and they are added to the list for pick up for that day.
Lincoln County Transportation's routes include Kalispell and Troy three times a week and Libby five times a week. Medicaid Travel covers the cost of the fair for the transportation pick up.
Otherwise you pay the fair with cash or check once you get in the vehicle. There are also ride passes where customers can purchase a pass for 10 rides.
The service goes beyond medical transportation. People can call to get picked up to go grocery shopping or any other need they have that requires them to need transportation.
Board President Kate Hunsberger has worked hard to make transportation accessible to local areas they cover. They have one driver in Eureka and three drivers in Libby. Their dispatcher will occasionally drive if there is overflow and they need another driver on the roads as well.
For more information, call 406-293-8024, see their Facebook page or go to https://www.lcts2ride.com/.