Since 2009, Sunshine Transit has offered rides along the Spur Road at no cost to riders. While the organization was initially run through the Sunshine Health Clinic, it became its own nonprofit in 2018.
The organization expanded rapidly after breaking away from the clinic. With 20 drivers and 27 vehicles, Sunshine Transit provides around 17,000 rides annually with plans to get more vehicles in the coming year.
For many residents in the Upper Valley, the Sunshine Transit is how they get groceries, pick up their prescriptions, and get to doctor’s appointments. As such, many were worried when there were talks of a federal funding freeze.
These concerns were compounded as Valley Transit, another transportation non-profit located in Wasilla, lost some funding. Increased population density designated the Borough as a “small urban area” which meant the Borough no longer had access to the grant funding Valley Transit.
Unlike Valley Transit, Sunshine Transit receives a majority of its funding from the state, not federal grants. The organization made it clear their funding for this year is secure. They will continue to provide transportation along Spur Road as they have been.
