Council eyes funds for bus system

Havre City Council has given its backing to North Central Montana Regional Transit system and may soon give it some money.

Jim Lyons, transit system director, appeared before council Tuesday to seek its endorsement of its most recent rounds of federal grant requests.

Federal officials like to hear from municipalities that they support the bus service, Lyons said.

Lyons said the project has grown tremendously over its six-year history. It runs buses from Fort Belknap to Havre and Box Elder daily. Twice a week, buses go to Great Falls.

People going to Great Falls usually make connections to another bus, catch a flight or visit a doctor, he said.

Council members enthusiastically supported the proposal.

Council member Allen “Woody” Woodwick said the bus line provides a service to the people without cars and has brought business into the city.

Council member Pam Hillery praised the work the transit system does. She said the city should support the project with a letter, but suggested the city put forth some money as well.

She noted that, in the past, the city provided funds to the program.

Lyons said while federal grants pay for most of the bus system’s expenses, local contributions make up the difference. Hill and Blaine counties, Montana State University-Northern, Bullhook Clinic and Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian reservations provide assistance.

Mayor Tim Solomon said the city will consider the allocation when the budget process begins in a couple of months.