The Uintah Basin’s selection as a pilot site for a rural public transportation system, coupled with funding pledges from government agencies and communities in Duchesne County essentially assures that a public transit system will be in place along U.S. Highway 40 as early as this summer.

Bob Gilbert, regional council coordinator for the state Department of Workforce Services, said the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council will provide a grant of $50,000 a year for three years to support the bulk of the cost for testing the possibility that rural public transit is feasible.

“It has a 25 percent local match that we think we can meet,” Gilbert said. “UDOT has already given us planning money and UDOT can provide funding on an annual basis on a dollar per dollar match.”

It would cost an estimated $70,000 to $80,000 annually to operate buses, pay for GPS technology, dispatch service, and hire drivers and a full-time transit coordinator, he said.

A 12 to 15 passenger van with a wheelchair ramp would be used. Uintah Basin Association of Governments currently has the vans which were purchased with funding from previous transportation projects.

“To begin with we thought about 24/7 bus service, but will probably be starting out at five days a week on a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule,” Gilbert said.

So far Duchesne County and the cities of Roosevelt, Myton, and Duchesne have agreed to contribute money annually towards the bus route on U.S. 40 that would likely travel between Duchesne City and Vernal.

“We think we are there, as long as we have the $50,000 from the Utahns with Disabilities Council, we think we have $30,000 to $40,000 from local entities,” Gilbert said.

Uintah County has been participating in the planning meetings “since day one,” according to Gilbert, and while they are supportive of the project, so far there has been no funding commitment. He met with the county Monday to further discuss cementing a contribution. The outcome of that meeting was not available prior to press time.

Six million dollars in stimulus funding coming to the Utah Department of Transportation could also provide money for capital expenses that are part of operating the rural transit system. According to Gilbert, the local steering committee will seek $250,000 in stimulus money.

“We haven’t heard yet if we get it,” he said. “It would be used for a van, and GPS units, for marketing efforts, and dispatch.”

Discussions to enact a tax to generate revenue for the transit system have died down, but it won’t be a free ride,

“There will be a fare, $1 to $2 …those who ride and are on Medicaid or Medicare can buy a monthly pass,” Gilbert said.

The impetus behind the rural public transit system is to improve human services by providing transportation to work, stores, and medical appointments for those without cars, or those who don’t know how to drive.

Ballard Mayor Tom Nordstrom said he believes elderly and low-income residents will benefit from a bus system.

“I think people need rides to doctor’s appointment and rides to the store. I am sure it will benefit people on this side (of Uintah County),” Nordstorm said. “I just feel that people need some type of public transportation. This would be a model for the rest of the state if we could make it work out here.”

There currently is bus service tied to area colleges, government agencies, hospitals, and the Ute Indian Tribe that help provide rides for those unable to secure their own transportation – and the main public transit system would strive to connect with those systems when possible, Gilbert said.

“We realize that it takes a little time to get out and get the program going and have the public become aware of it,” he said. “We are going to do a little marketing to raise the awareness before we begin.”