Iron Range Bus Lines donates bus to Underground Gym

THUNDER BAY — A donated school bus will make transportation a lot more convenient for the youthful clients of Thunder Bay's Underground Gym.

Iron Range Bus Lines contributed the bus and will ensure it stays well-maintained.

The bus now sports a new coat of black paint that was applied with the help of some of the youths who will be using it.

"The impact is huge. We don't have to say 'no' now to any kid that wants to go to the Underground when we pick up the children from the different areas along the way," says founder Peter Panetta.

"It's amazing what it's done for the children. The other day we went to Boulevard Lake and we had about 20-25 kids. They've got their little groups, and there's still a lot of gaps in between to fill with other kids."

Panetta said he's extremely grateful to Iron Range, because the bus is a big step up from UG's small van.

The Underground Gym currently has from 50 to 60 regular clients, plus users who drop in on an occasional basis.

"Summer's coming. We've always gone for outings. We go hiking or mountain climbing or to the beach or whatever. We're going to have a lot of fun," Panetta added.

Iron Range Bus Lines General Manager Eric Lehto said the company is pleased to support the Underground Gym.

"We talked to Peter last summer. His old bus was getting in rough shape, and there's a need to accommodate more kids."

Lehto said the bus is newer and reliable, and should provide many years of service.

He said the company feels it's important to contribute to community causes such as this.

"We're a family business. We've been here 80 years. It's the same family that still runs it. This is our community, and everything we do is about kids."

Lehto added that it's important for children to have a positive experience when they ride the bus, "whether it's a black bus or a yellow bus....Stepping up and doing these things is the least that we can do to help."