PABLO - Living in one town and needing to get to another, without a vehicle, just became a little easier. Transit driver Dolly Irvne said a growing number of people utilize the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Department of Human Resource and Development's transit system for their morning commute. Regular routes connect Hot Springs to Pablo, Evaro to Arlee, and most places in between.

"It really helps people in the morning and at night for employment," she said.

Some of the system's patrons face up to a 50-mile commute. The low-cost bus fare, which can be purchased for each trip or in the form of a multiple-use bus pass, can save hundreds of dollars a year on fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

Families and individuals, both young and old, will call in for rides to and from a doctor's appointment and the service will go as far as Missoula or Kalispell, or often from Hot Springs to Plains, depending on their riders' needs.

"We transport everyone in the community that is in need to eye doctor or doctor appointments, physical therapy, therapy, chemical dependency and also to places of employment," DHRD Transportation Administrative Assistant Christy Brooks said.

Vehicles and drivers are even available for weekend trips, like when Irvne drove the Kootenai Culture Committee all the way to Kootenai Falls for the annual gathering.

The CSKT Department of Human Resource Development began transporting people in need of rides in the year 2000. It started out slowly, with a few staff to get the job complete, but has grown over the years as the need for transportation has increased. DHRD currently employs 18 drivers and five administrative staff.

"The number of riders has skyrocketed," Brooks said.

According to DHRD statistics, in 2008, a total of 17,622 riders traveled 284,061 miles. In 2009, 23,549 riders traveled 506,751 miles and during the first three months of this year, 13,313 riders had already traveled 187,410 miles.

"So far, our year has started out wonderfully," Brooks said.

The Montana Department of Transportation selected CSKT as the recipient of the first-ever Transit System of the Year Award.

On the weekend of June 12, the department had two drivers, Kimberlee Dempsey and Travis Beauvais, participate in MDT's Bus Roadeo. The driver who had the highest written and driving test score won an all-expenses-paid-trip to a National Competition in May 2011. Travis Beauvais won the contest with a 100 percent on his written test and showed the fastest and safest driving in the competition.

Brooks said the office requires riders to schedule rides by 3 p.m. the day before. For those riders needing a ride on Monday, staff is in the office on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.