The Port of Whitman County has approved an agreement with the Council on Aging and Human Services to provide funding for the proposed COAST Transportation fare-free bus loops connecting Colfax, Albion, Moscow, and Pullman.

The Port has committed up to $40,000 to assist the COA in meeting the matching funding requirement for a grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

With the grant funds, COAST plans to acquire two buses and introduce two new routes that will operate on a loop schedule six days a week, aiming to connect the four communities.

COA Executive Director Paige Collins stated that the shuttle expansion is expected to enhance community access to essential services and increase capacity in their ADA-accessible van and bus services for individuals who require assistance in entering and exiting vehicles. The shuttle is anticipated to be beneficial for the local community.