Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit, Boundary County’s only form of public transportation, has seen substantial growth in the past year — many of them among the community senior population.  

With nearly 30 percent of Boundary County residents age 60 and older, seniors make up the largest share of SPOT riders, though the free transportation service is open to everyone. Between January and October of this year, more rides have been provided than in all of 2024, 2023 or 2022. 

Launched April 15, 2015, in Boundary County, the SPOT bus operates four days a week for seven hours a day.  

By the end of October, 2,699 rides have been taken in Boundary County. The entirety of last year was 2,305, meaning there would still be a 17% increase, even if no rides were taken in November or December.  

“I think we’re going to hit the 3,000 mark this year,” Donna Griffin, SPOT bus Executive Director said. “That’s fantastic. Our staff has worked really hard to engage the community.” 

Ridership this October reached 229 rides, up from 200 in October 2024 — 219 of those rides were taken by seniors. 

Griffin said the transit system bus has rebounded from a decline during the pandemic, when ridership fell 44%. Between 2022 and 2024, ridership numbers averaged 2,275. Now, with ridership rising, the agency is looking to expand service by adding Monday routes in Boundary County. 

“The board just approved for us to write for an expansion of service,” Griffin said. “So that will go into our grant request for 2026 through 2028.” 

The earliest date that the route’s addition is mid-2026, Griffin said, adding that the grant request will take time to be approved. 

“It’ll provide more opportunities for people to get their business done on Mondays locally,” Griffin said. 

SPOT bus riders often use the service to make multiple stops. 

“We have people who do several rides in the day to go do different things and get their errands all caught up,” Griffin said. “We have several people who really enjoy the community opportunities on the bus because they get to see other people and talk with other people on their ride. It’s a resource for everybody to utilize.” 

Local service runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a Moyie Springs–to–Bonners Ferry route on Fridays. Thursdays are the busiest day, when the bus takes passengers from Boundary County to destinations in Sandpoint and Ponderay. All vans are handicapped accessible. 

Mainly funded through the Federal Transit Administration, SPOT uses advertisements on their buses, as well as donations to fund operations. 

Recently, SPOT in Boundary County received a $10,000 grant to help support operating costs. From Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, Boundary County operations cost $65,487, according to Griffin. 

    The SPOT bus, next to the Super 1 grocery store in Bonners Ferry.