Working to Restore Accessible Transportation

The loss of COAST Transportation was devastating to our region. DAC has been working ever since to rebuild accessible transportation in rural parts of Idaho. In rural areas, accessible transportation is often the difference between independence and isolation. Distances are long, public transit is sparse or non-existent, and essential services like medical specialists, pharmacies, stores and employers are miles apart.

For seniors and people with disabilities who cannot drive, the absence of accessible options means missed appointments, limited job opportunities, and reduced participation in community life. Rural residents tend to be older and have higher rates of disability than urban residents, yet have fewer taxies, ride shares or fixed route services. Providing wheelchair accessible vehicles, demand-response shuttles, and volunteer drivers will help close this gap.

After securing funding, we purchased three of the COAST vehicles. These have been undergoing maintenance to make sure they are safe and will run properly for a long time. People for People have done the same with COAST vehicles and are currently running accessible transportation in Washington’s Whitman County.

Demand/Response transportation service is a reservation door-to-door service that is available for eligible individuals in Whitman County and surrounding counties whether you need door-to-door service (if you are not using Medicaid), fixed-route services, or require assistance with a Medicaid eligible trip. If you would like to arrange a ride, call 1-800-873-9996.

They are hiring full-time or part-time NON-CDL Drivers in the Colfax area. You can apply here. After repairs and licensing the DAC vehicles, we will be partnering with People for People and starting up accessible transportation in rural north central Idaho.

After the death in 2018 of one of our long time board members, Dianne Milhollin, the board  voted unanimously to purchase an accessible van in her honor. We are proud to announce that the arrival of our Dianne Milhollin Memorial Van should be the middle of this month sometime! Dianne was blind, and knew the need for people to have transportation in rural areas for groceries and entertainment as well as medical appointments.

DAC is looking forward to a future where everyone can access their community.