Silver Express coming under full county control

WALLACE –– The Shoshone County Commissioners have a self-imposed six-month deadline to determine the future of the Silver Express Shuttle service.  

On Wednesday, the commissioners met with Shoshone County Grant Administrator Colleen Rosson where they made the decision to take full control of the bus service for the next six months.  

The free transportation had been operating as a joint service between the county and Northwest Medical Transport. However, they recently told the county they would not be renewing their contract unless the county could provide additional monthly funding.  

The county looked at a few alternatives, but after some discussions between Rosson and the Idaho Transportation Department and the Federal Transportation Administration, it was recommended that the county become the sole operator of the bus service.  

The commissioners did have some concerns over the increased liability that would come with being the sole entity responsible for the bus service, but because the contract with Northwest Medical Transport ends on October 1, they had to make a fast decision.  

Previously, the county handled the procurement of the buses, as well securing the funding to operate them, while Northwest Medical Transport handled the scheduling of the bus routes, bus inspections, and supplying the drivers.  

In their new role, the county takes on all responsibilities associated with the bus, including making the drivers county employees.  

Silver Express is funded through a $448,000 grant from the Idaho Transportation Department that includes a match component where the county provides in-kind service and additional funding to keep the bus in operation.   

According to Rosson, even with the additional expense of giving the drivers a small raise and county benefits, the grant will completely cover the costs associated with migrating the bus service to the county. 

Before making any decision, the commissioners asked Prosecutor Ben Allen what his thoughts were and if the county could be taking any unnecessary legal risks by assuming control of the service.  

“Although I typically, as legal counsel, advise against proceeding forward as expeditiously as we are, the amount of potential outside funding dollars attached to this and the community’s need for it, I think has presented the county with very few legitimate options that we have been reassured will keep the funding in place.,” Allen said. “Understanding that this doesn’t have to be the long-term solution, but it buys the county sufficient time to start analyzing the processes and procedures that determine whether long-term the county likes this structure or wants to go back to the formal bidding process.”  

As part of their decision, the commissioners will oversee the transition of the Silver Express and act as the department’s supervisors.