By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — Citylink rides are proposed to go from free to having a fee.

A new $1.50 fare has been proposed for the public bus system's urban fixed routes and $3 for paratransit service.

Fares are needed for a system that is "reliable, financially sustainable and equitable," an analysis released by Kootenai County this week states, referring to the reason behind the fare proposals.

Rides have been free since 2005.

The fares would not be charged for Citylink rural routes, including to the Coeur d'Alene Casino.

Discounted passes would be available for seniors and those with qualifying disabilities.

"Additionally, we are working with several social services organizations to provide vouchers to eligible riders who are transportation disadvantaged," said Jody Bieze, the county's Grants Management Office director.

The new fare system is proposed to be cashless, the analysis states.

"Purchasing single- ride tickets and passes via electronic smart cards make the boarding process easier for riders, especially those who ride frequently," the report states.

Changes to routes and hours of operation are also envisioned.

Four public meetings will be held in April to highlight the changes and take comments. Testimony on the possible changes will also be taken during a public hearing before the county commissioners on May 2 at 6 p.m. in Rooms 1A and 1B of the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 N. Government Way.

If commissioners approve the fares, they would likely become effective later this year. Bieze said an accounting system, public awareness campaign and ticket system will need to be established before the fares are rolled out.

- The proposed route changes include making the Post Falls route (B) a clockwise direction and, due to rider requests, adding stops at the Post Falls Senior Center and Post Falls Food Bank.

- A proposed new A Route would run clockwise and cover downtown Coeur d'Alene with two stops on Hubbard Street near North Idaho College; Sherman Avenue at 16th, 21st and 23rd streets; on Ironwood in front of Shopko and the current Kootenai Health stop at 921 Ironwood.

- The revised C Route (Coeur d'Alene/Dalton Gardens/Hayden) would no longer serve downtown. It would run clockwise only with new stops at Wilbur and Ramsey; Courcelles and Prairie; Government Way and Anton; Panhandle Health; Government and Hattie; Shopko and in the hospital district. The Pinegrove and Hanley stop would be eliminated.

"The C Route currently faces considerable difficulty maintaining timeliness due to the length of the route," a press release from Kootenai County Transit states.

Kimberly Hobson, program specialist with the county's Public Transit Office, said shortening the hours of operation for Citylink's urban routes during the weekdays will be considered as well as possibly eliminating or compressing the Saturday or Sunday service.

A new Intelligent Transit System for the bus system has gone live. Riders can go to http://citylink.etaspot.net/ to see where buses are and sign up for alert services. Apps for smartphones can be downloaded from the site.

Meanwhile, the county will seek bids in April to design the first phase of the new transit center in Riverstone. Construction is expected to start in March 2018 and be completed in October 2018. The first phase will include 2,500 square feet of office space, bus pull-through areas, covered seating, paved parking and security cameras.

The first phase is estimated to cost $2,056,360. The Federal Transit Administration will fund $1,645,088, while the local match will be $411,272.

Kootenai County and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe purchased two lots in Riverstone for the transit center in June 2014. The lots are located on West John Loop and bounded by Riverstone Drive and Seltice Way. The county will own, operate and maintain the improvements of the Riverstone Transit Center.

The transit system in Kootenai County is funded by FTA, the Idaho Transportation Department, participating cities, Kootenai County, and by voluntary support from Kootenai Health and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

Copies of the Service and Fare Equity Analysis recommending the changes are at: http://bit.ly/2nWlPSt. They’ll also be available at the public meetings or 400 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d'Alene.

Call 446-2102 to have a map of the route changes mailed to you. The maps will also be available at the public meetings and public hearing.

Citylink change meetings

Kootenai County Transit is proposing to make changes to Citylink routes and implement fares. Four information meetings and opportunities to comment will be held in April:

- April 10, 1-2 p.m., Post Falls Library;

- April 14, 1-2 p.m., Hayden Library;

- April 17, 3-5 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Library;

- April 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Rooms 1A, 1B, Kootenai County Administration Building.

* Testimony about the proposed changes will be taken during the public hearing held before the county commissioners on May 2 at 6 p.m. in Rooms 1A and 1B in the Kootenai County Administration building, 451 N. Government Way.