Though bus service is resuming to many parts of the state following a shutdown of Billings-based Rimrock Stages, the Kalispell to Missoula route most likely won’t be offered again unless Rimrock returns to operations.

Rimrock was shut down March 22 by U.S. Department of Transportation regulators for “imminently hazardous” safety violations.

Current Transportation Solutions of Missoula helped work out the agreements in which two out-of-state bus services would fill many of the canceled routes.

“It impacts everyone’s business when I-90 bus service gets shut down,” Lisa Ballard of Current Transportation Solutions said. 

On April 4, Salt Lake Express, based in Rexburg, Idaho, began running two roundtrip routes a day from Billings to Missoula. Starting April 14, the company will begin offering bus service in and out of Great Falls to Helena and Butte.

Jefferson Lines of Minneapolis had started transporting passengers from Billings through Butte to Missoula on March 30, as well as extending its Glendive run from Fargo to Billings.

In combination, Salt Lake Express and Jefferson Lines have been able to restore most of Montana and North Dakota intercity bus service to its previous levels.

The Kalispell to Missoula route, however, is not of much interest to either carrier.

“It’s the most difficult one,” Ballard said.

“Missoula to Kalispell is the most remote from the perspective of these businesses. “There are some possibilities of that service being filled, but it’s still very much in the discussion phase.”

A sign on the former bus depot at 1305 First Ave. E. in Kalispell says that the service is closed until further notice. 

Current Transportation Solutions has been involved because the company has worked closely with Rimrock Stages, gaining knowledge of the Montana bus service through development of a 2011 transit plan completed under contract with the Montana Department of Transportation.

“I’ve been working in transit for a long time, and I know firsthand that many riders depend on bus service and have no alternatives,” Ballard said. “In the last two weeks I’ve heard a lot of stories about the hardship this shutdown is causing, and that’s what motivates me to help.”

Current Transportation Solutions has created a temporary website with updates and information about the situation at http://mtndintercity.wordpress.com.