Rural transportation program needs drivers for new hub

As many years as the Mineral County Pioneer Council has been in operation, numerous people are unfamiliar with the program.

MCPC works with the Montana Department of Transportation to provide transportation options in rural communities such as Mineral County. The transportation program serves everyone; seniors, teenagers, families, individuals with disabilities, low income, unemployed, retired or still working. 

Medicaid covers the cost of many trips and off-scheduled medical visits to Mineral Community Hospital are common. Rides are given to local medical clinics, specialists in Missoula and life essential services. 

The primary objective is to make the service both affordable and reliable, with curbside pick-up and drop off at the end of the route. 

Routes can be customized to fit the needs of the passengers. Two minivans are in use today with one having a factory ramp for wheelchair accessibility. A new Ford Econoline van with a handicap lift and seating for nine, including six wheelchair stations, has been ordered.

A transit facility will soon break ground east of Mineral Community Hospital visible on I-90 that will become headquarters, yet transportation services will continue from Saltese to Alberton and along Montana 135 from St. Regis to the Sanders County line. 

The schedule varies but at least one trip is made to Missoula every week and the possibility of going to Plains has been discussed.

To schedule a ride, call 406-552-7003 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A 24-hour request or cancelation is required. Medical runs are typically unscheduled but welcomed. 

Passengers will be picked up at their residence and driven to their appointment in St. Regis, Superior or Missoula and brought home with a stop at a pharmacy if needed. 

This service is more expensive than scheduling medical appointments around the Pioneer bus schedule.

There is need for two part-time drivers paying $13 per hour with applications online at mcpioneercouncil.com. Applicants will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing and must have proof of age and citizenship along with a clean driving record, if hired. 

Susan Freeman, senior dispatcher, said the trip to Missoula and back is between six and eight hours, depending on how many stops the passengers need and road conditions. 

“I prefer three to four passengers, so they won't feel crowded. If need be, a second van can be used to cover the doctor appointments,” she explained. 

The new drivers will start by covering the medical runs which is normally one passenger or two if a caregiver is needed. 

“But I’ll make sure that the new divers get at least 1 trip to Missoula each month and that can easily increase as we expect more ridership once the transit facility becomes operational,” Freeman said.