McCall Idaho Headline News

A free commuter bus connecting McCall, Donnelly, Lake Fork, Tamarack Resort and Cascade began operations last week. Valley County Connections is a joint project between the Idaho Transportation Department, McCall Transit, Tamarack Municipal Association, Valley Adams Planning Partnership, and the cities of McCall, Donnelly and Cascade.

It was two years in the making.

Dick Carter, mayor of Cascade, described the planning process as a "two year odyssey."
The funding for the service is provided by a Federal Transit Association rural transportation grant that was awarded through the Idaho Transportation Department to McCall Transit and was given matching contributions from Tamarack Resort and Treasure Valley Transit.

Cost for the first year of service was estimated at $200,000. Valley County Commissioner Frank Eld was triumphant during the ceremony preceding the first ride.

"This is a big day for Valley County. We are connected! This just proves that communities can make things happen," he said. Tamarack representatives believe the buses will aide in the growth of the valley. Equipped with bike and ski racks, outdoor enthusiasts will have no trouble using the service.

"It is inevitable that our region will continue to gain greater recognition as a prime national destination," said Jim Spenst, vice president of operations for Tamarack.

Carter said he has already noticed excitement in the community over the new bus.

"This project has generated a great deal of excitement from the senior center," he said. "It's a great example of what can happen if we all get in the harness and pull in the same direction."

Donnelly Mayor George Dorris said he looks forward to seeing less of a strain on workers' pocketbooks in the time of ever increasing gas prices.

"If we can get our worker bees going back and forth in the morning, it will be nice for them," he said.

Pickup and drop-off points in McCall will be McCall City Hall and Ridley's Family Market. There will also be a stop in Lake Fork.

In the Donnelly/Tamarack area, the bus will stop at West Roseberry Plaza, The Meadows at West Mountain subdivision and Crane Creek Market at the resort.

In Cascade, stops will be at Harpo's Chevron and The Ashley Inn.

Buses leave McCall City Hall and Harpo's at 6:15 a.m. each day and complete the trip across the valley in about an hour.

Other departure times from McCall are 7:15 a.m.. 8:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Afternoon trips from McCall leave at 2:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., while afternoon trips from Cascade leave at 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Shuttle service between Tamarack and Donnelly begins at 6:40 a.m.