Woman claims she's been left out on the bus route

Sometimes, Jackie Lodder needs help around the house. Often, her neighbor's daughter helps move furniture to vacuum, change the lightbulb in fixtures, and even grab something too low in her freezer outside.

A lot of it has to do with her poor eyesight. Thanks to macular degeneration, Lodder is legally blind, and because of that she can't drive. Add that on top of the fact the local grocery store in Lava Hot Springs doesn't have everything she needs.

That said, she relies on Pocatello Regional Transit buses to take her to the Gate City to bring her to bigger grocery stores. 

Right now, PRT opens their Soda Springs bus on the second Tuesday of the month to let people outside the route, like Lodder, to get to Pocatello. However, she feels this isn't enough to serve her needs.

"I'm not asking to go every weeks, twice a week, or anything (like that)," Lodder said. "I'd love to go twice a month if possible and I'm only asking for a couple hours to shop."

When asked about the situation, PRT said they have provided courtesy rides for those like Lodder for years with their Soda Springs bus. Demand in Soda Springs has increased, however, and because of the grants they operate under they have to honor that commitment first.

"If we're able to and we can fit in the schedule to come down to Pocatello and allow them to do some shopping beforehand – we're more than willing to do that," said Skyler Beebe, PRT's operations manager.

Lodder feels people with the need should be priority.

"The number one priority is the ladies who need it," Lodder said.

PRT also said a retired bus driver could be a reason Lodder is experiencing a difference in service, since he went out of his way to help bring her to Pocatello.

For rides, PRT buses have a three-person minimum, but can be negotiated depending on the circumstance. Beebe said PRT is willing to alter or add routes depending on demand.