IDYLLWILD, CA—Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors honored the founder of the Idyllwild Shuttle Service as Woman of the Year in the Fourth Supervisorial District.
Reba Coulter, Treasurer of the nonprofit Forest Folk, Inc., and Project Manager of the shuttle service was recognized as part of Riverside County’s commemoration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
Supervisor Perez shared a news release detailing the award and his recollections of his first meeting with Coulter right after he became the supervisor for the Idyllwild area and discussed the Idyllwild Shuttle Service, which provides free transportation from the mountain to the Coachella Valley and Hemet for doctor’s appointments and other needed trips.
“I am very proud and honored to have Reba here, with us, because of who she is,” said Supervisor Perez. “I remember when I first met her, and she talked specifically about our seniors and the fact that they needed transportation. I know she is going to continue to do great work, and she is our 2025 Woman of the Year for the Fourth District!
A grant which Forest Folk, Inc. obtains through the Riverside County Transportation Commission funds the shuttle service, Coulter said. She is responsible for submitting the grant proposals to the County to establish the shuttle service, and for keeping it rolling the past ten years. "This is the only public transportation available in Idyllwild, and it is free."
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Coulter is now working on adding a new van to the fleet.
"Reba Coulter has lived in Idyllwild for the past 22 years, where she has made a difference for seniors and other residents of the mountain communities, he said. Originally from West Virginia, she is the big sister of a big family, including a combined 13 teachers on both sides.
“I think that’s part of the reason she’s so giving,” he said.
Coulter moved to California, living in Orange County for 40 years, which included working in local government. She returned to college, earning her business administration degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
She retired to Idyllwild in 2003, after living there part-time since 1989, and became involved with the community.
“I love Idyllwild, I love living there, and I became involved with everything up there because it was my way of working into the community,” said Coulter. “I knew I would never feel at home if I didn’t learn the community. So that’s gradually, over the last 22 years, I feel very much involved in now. Thank you very much. I appreciate this, it’s totally a surprise.”
Ten years ago, she saw a need for elderly, disabled, and low-income residents to get off the mountain for various needs, so she began working toward establishing the free Idyllwild Shuttle Service.
It started with an old shuttle bus that was donated from the Chamber of Commerce.
“We have kept it as a free service. Our grant focuses on elderly, disabled and low?income. We don’t ask anybody’s level of income. If there is a seat available, they are welcome to ride,” stated Coulter.
Reba Coulter is also actively involved in the community as a member of the Radio Club of Idyllwild, the Rotary Club of Idyllwild, Idy Elders and Others, and the Idyllwild Garden Club. She has been a volunteer bookkeeper for the American Legion Post 800, and treasurer for the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, the Friends of San Jacinto Mountain County Parks, and Forest Folk, Inc.