Photo by Isaak Julye and Emmett Breedlovestrout

It’s November, and if historical weather patterns manage to hold steady for one more season, the cold and moisture will be coming our way. Time to wrap your bike up in a protective coat of bubble wrap and stash it in the basement. And time to hang up your walking shoes. It’s nasty out there. Grab your car keys because we’re entering the Season of the Car. And why not? Cars are warm, waterproof and convenient. But wait, so is Moscow’s free bus service.

Many of us continue to ride our bikes and walk around town throughout the dark months of the year. But when the snowdrifts in the street rival the elevation of Paradise Ridge and the sidewalks have better ice than the Palouse Ice Rink, a trudge across town to work may not be an adventure you want to have. And because of the bus, it’s an adventure you don’t have to have. Started in 2004 with cooperation from the City of Moscow, University of Idaho, Idaho Transportation Department and operated by Valley Transit, the fixed route bus service has steadily grown in community support and ridership (up nearly 20% from last year). Routes and service times have expanded and buses fill to capacity during certain hours of the day.

As with any relatively new public service, there are still some lack of community knowledge regarding Moscow’s bus service. So in honor of the upcoming winter months we will attempt to shed some light with the Top 7 Misconceptions about the Moscow/Valley Transit Fixed Route Bus Service.

“Oh, that bus isn’t for everyone, it’s just for (fill in the blank)…”

Right. They sure don’t look like city buses—more like an airport or hospital shuttle or a special events charter or a casino caravan. Not for everyday citizens like you and me. But don’t be fooled by their small-town appearance, these are full-service, urban transit buses at heart. Everyone in our community is welcome to ride.

“Riding the bus costs too much.”

This is an easy one. If you ride anywhere in Moscow, it’s free. These are trying times, but free is still affordable.

“The bus says Moscow/Valley Transit on the side, is it going to take me to Lewiston?”

Moscow’s bus service is operated by Valley Transit, which is based out of Lewiston. Moscow’s fixed route buses stay in Moscow on an East and West route. Valley Transit also offers an intercity service between Lewiston and Moscow which departs each city four times daily and costs $5 each way, with a monthly pass coming soon.

“Scraping windows, shoveling out driveways and warming up engines is just part of life during winter.”

Nonsense. Keep that car snowed in until spring. The drivers of the Moscow/Valley Transit buses take care of all the mundane winter chores before you even set foot out of your house. Out your door and into a warm bus. And leave the treacherous winter driving to a professional.

“The bus must not come here, there’s no bus stops.”

Soon to be a problem of the past. As we write this, signs are being installed all around town at designated stop locations along each route. The drivers are still willing to be flagged down if you are too far from a stop to make it in time.

“Where do I find a bus schedule?”

You can find schedules conveniently located in the back of the Co-op by the soft drinks, downtown at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce office, Moscow City Hall, and on campus in the Student Union Building. Or consult Valley Transit’s website: http://users.lewiston.com/valleytransit or call 883-7747 in Moscow or 743-2545 in Lewiston.

“I’m afraid the bus drivers will yell at me…”

Unfortunately, many peoples’ last experience with a bus involved a one that was painted yellow and full of unruly children. Moscow’s bus service is operated by friendly professionals. And hopefully you have done some growing up in the mean time.