KINGSTON — The Friends of the River Coalition have unveiled a shuttle bus to help alleviate parking issues near the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in Kingston. 

“The shuttle will relieve the pressure on the roads and illegal parking causing massive issues with emergency vehicles having access to the areas that need it,” Dawn Wiksten of FORC said.

The bus had long been part of the group's vision. When they heard about a used shuttle bus available nearby, they decided it was too great an opportunity to pass up, Rob Archer said. 

The plan is to encourage people to spread their vehicles out so there isn’t a cluster in access points in Kingston.  

“We see a need and try to address it, and this one’s been an ongoing concern. Sometimes at the high point of midsummer, you couldn’t get an ambulance up the road. We can pick them up higher up the river and break it up around Bumblebee (Bridge),” Archer said. 

The group is unsure when the shuttle service will be offered this summer and is looking for volunteer drivers. 

“As a small nonprofit, we are always searching for help. STP (Same 10 people) doesn't work long-term,” Wiksten said.  

Having put money and resources to bring the shuttle online a year earlier than planned, the group hopes to have a more structured plan next summer. 

“We’ll try to get it up and running this summer, but I’m sure it’s going to be a learning experience,” Archer said.    

To learn more about the nonprofit, email the nonprofit at friendsoftheriver2020@gmail.com or visit the Friends of the River Coalition Facebook page.