PROGRESS: SPOT Bus expands service, marks 15 years

The SPOT Bus is everywhere. You see it throughout North Idaho — across Bonner County and Boundary County.

In Bonner County, riders spot SPOT buses downtown, at Jeff Jones Square, the YMCA, local banks, Sandpoint Cinema, Walmart, Kaniksu, Super 1, Safeway, Dr. Bloom’s office, Pine Grove Medical Center, Bonner General Hospital, Rasor’s Edge Hair Salon at the Bonner Mall, Yoke’s, the food bank, the library and churches.

In Boundary County, the SPOT Bus is visible downtown Bonners Ferry; at local banks; Far North Coffee Lodge; Kaniksu; Super 1; Safeway; Dr. Willis’ and Dr. Geyman’s offices; hair salons; the food bank; and in Moyie Springs, Three‑Mile, Paradise Valley and Naples.

Visit SPOTBus.org to view the service area or call with questions. Feedback is welcome — riders are encouraged to share how they heard about SPOT Bus and how service can continue to improve.

Big news — SPOT Bus is growing. The system will celebrate 15 years of service in June. In addition, beginning Monday, May 4, 2026, SPOT Bus will provide local curb‑to‑curb service on Mondays in Boundary County. Riders must reserve a seat at least one business day in advance.

SPOT Bus will also offer a shuttle to and from the Boundary County Fair this summer. Updates will be shared through local news outlets and on social media.

Your local Selkirks‑Pend Oreille Transit Authority (SPOT Bus) provides free public transportation for the community. The service is free for everyone, but riders must be at least 6 years old to ride alone.

Riding the SPOT Bus is easy and efficient. The Blue and Green routes operate in Bonner County, serving 44 key locations in Dover, Kootenai, Ponderay and Sandpoint with approximately 81 scheduled stops each hour. Service runs from about 6:25 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

Paratransit curb‑to‑curb service is available for riders who live within the service area and cannot access the Blue or Green routes.

In Boundary County, SPOT Bus service includes Bonners Ferry, the Naples Store area, parts of Paradise Valley and Moyie Springs. On Thursdays, the bus transports riders to Ponderay and Sandpoint. Regular driver Tom Cornwall said many riders are seniors living in senior housing who rely on the bus for medical appointments and grocery shopping because they no longer drive.

SPOT Bus goals include increasing safety, mobility and economic opportunity, while reaching new riders and increasing ridership throughout the system. Many riders rely solely on SPOT Bus transportation to reach employment, therapy and doctor’s appointments, as well as essential services such as the library, senior center and veterans services.

Even residents who own vehicles can benefit from using SPOT Bus. Riding the bus can help offset rising fuel, maintenance, tire and insurance costs. Families can also book rides for students or parents, eliminating the need to take time off work to provide transportation for those with limited mobility.

All SPOT Bus vehicles are ADA compliant.

SPOT is primarily funded through the Idaho Public Transportation Office with Federal Transit Administration funding. Additional support comes from advertisements on and inside buses, in‑kind services, volunteers, donations and sponsorships from Schweitzer Mountain, the Schweitzer Mountain Community Association and Festival at Sandpoint to help meet required grant matches.

Funding partners include the cities of Bonners Ferry, Dover, Kootenai, Moyie Springs, Ponderay and Sandpoint, as well as Boundary County.

Two donations from a Boundary County resident totaling $10,000 help fund free service for seniors and their personal care attendants. SPOT Bus leverages donations as matching funds, multiplying their value two to three times.

The donor said she contributed because she wants to ensure seniors and their care providers have reliable transportation. She noted that she “sees the SPOT Bus everywhere” and could not imagine Boundary County residents without access to transportation.

When SPOT buses transport people throughout Bonner County and Boundary County, the economic and health benefits multiply. This service is truly a community effort.

Local repair shops, service providers and volunteers help keep SPOT buses rolling. Additional partners continue to support operations through advertising, sponsorships and in‑kind contributions.

Please call at least one business day in advance to schedule a ride. For more information, to contribute, sponsor a route or advertise your business, call 208‑263‑3774 or visit www.spotbus.org.   Bonners Ferry SPOT Bus riders Angelique, Lee and Charlie pose with driver Tom Cornwall and SPOT operations and safety manager Lance Berryman.