BL bus service awaits council action
By Matt Kapko
Eye Correspondent
The Arcata Eye
07-30-2002

A project that will offer public transit to Blue Lake is slowly nearing reality.

According to Blue Lake Rancheria Transit Director Donna Lawson, the Rancheria received a federal grant to purchase a bus and is waiting for city approval and funds to begin operation.

“We’ve had the bus since March but we haven’t been on the agenda since mid-May,” she said.

Lawson first met with City Manager Duanne Rigge in March to submit her initial proposal. Lawson said she was assured the project would be up by May 15, though it will not be considered until the council’s Aug. 13 meeting.

“It’s the citizens who are losing cause they’re the ones who need the services,” said Lawson.

The Rancheria will fund the portion of the bus route that provides coverage on its land while Blue Lake is expected to fund the 55 percent of the route that covers the city. The remainder of funding is expected from the county.

The current proposal consists of a bus route from Blue Lake to Arcata. There are plans to add Fieldbrook and other stops in the future.

Lawson has obtained approval for transfers to the Humboldt Transit Authority service. Single fares for the bus will cost .35 with the senior rate being . A book of 10 tickets will also be available at a discounted rate of .

Still, according to Lawson, the project is unable to go ahead without city funding. “They’re not doing anything to cooperate with us. It’s really frustrating,” she said. The city is asking for a modified proposal that includes the expected number of users and the according costs.

According to City Clerk Karen Nessler, the city requires a contract which outlines the exact costs for the project and what responsibilities the city will face. Funds for the project will be made available from the general street funds.

The Blue Lake public transit project is scheduled to be on the City Council’s agenda for Aug. 13.

Lawson, who will also be the driver, is anxious to begin offering transportation for casino employees living outside of Blue Lake as well as residents who need service to Arcata.

The project will make hourly stops at Arcata’s Intermodal Transit facility.