STEVEN GIBBONS WITH UPS – Is delivering packages in Tarkio city limits using a Gator and trailer this holiday season. (Photo By Megan McAdams)

The residents of Tarkio have been abuzz about the new UPS delivery system that is making its rounds around town each day. Steven Gibbons is driving a Gator that hauls a trailer full of packages to businesses and residents in Tarkio.
Due to the influx of packages being sent out this holiday season, UPS needed a way to cut down on drivers’ hours. This “Gator” solution was a “think outside the box” way to get all the extra packages to their destinations without working their drivers to the max. The packages are brought to town by the usual UPS truck and then loaded onto the Gator and trailer for delivery in the city limits. Packages are delivered Monday through Friday from around noon to 5 p.m.
Gibbons said that as far as he knows, this is the first time a Gator has been used to deliver packages in Tarkio, but so far it’s working. “I feel like this system has been pretty productive. The Gator gets pretty good fuel mileage and minimizes the amount of time the usual drivers have to spend in town, thus creating more time available within a work week. Plus this system has created an extra job!” Gibbons said he makes an average of 60 to 70 stops per day and the amount of packages varies from day to day. The Gator will only be used through the holiday season.