Citylink expands its reach

Citylink North wants to hear from residents about the challenges Kootenai County residents face with transportation availability.

After receiving a $150,000 grant through the Federal Transit Administration Integrated Mobility Innovation program, Citylink North is attempting to increase mobility and close local transportation service gaps.

To meet that goal, Citylink North — Kootenai County's Public Transportation agency — and Passio Technologies are developing a mobile app platform that ties public and private transportation together for increased mobility choices and solutions. 

To better understand the region's transportation needs, Citylink North is asking residents to participate in an online survey. The app will be free and could span Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Athol, Rathdrum, and Hayden Lake based on survey responses, Citylink Program Specialist Amber Conklin said.

"What the survey does is help determine how far we need to go into areas like Athol and Rathdrum," Conklin said. "We're trying to assess the needs of the community, which will help develop those next steps for transportation options in places we don't currently reach."

Preliminary ideas of the goal, stated by Tim Hubbard of Passio Tech during a county commissioner meeting in February, described it as an app for payments, ride requests and vehicle trafficking "tailor-made" suggestions. 

The survey, which is open through the end of April, will also influence Citylink's direction while working on the region's Strategic Service Plan, Kootenai County Fixed Route Services manager Chad Ingle said. 

"With the growth, there are going to be different areas that now need to be served by public transportation," Ingle said. "We want to be able to meet those needs as they are occurring instead of after feeling the growing pains. We want to make sure we are ahead of the game instead of behind." 

Citylink North is also recruiting additional transportation partners to participate.

To access the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CitylinkTransportation, or go to https://www.kcgov.us/495/Public-Notices