THE GORGE — Public bus routes now stretch from Parkdale, The Dalles, and Golendale to Portland and most towns in between, with free passes for low-income and elderly residents and for downtown The Dalles.
Jesus Mendoza and Sara Crook, who work for The LINK, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s public transportation program, gave an update at a The Dalles Community Affairs meeting recently. Crook is a travel-trainer, and she teaches people how to ride buses, especially elders. Mendoza is public transportation manager.
The LINK runs on state and federal funds. “We’re not trying to expand, because it’s a bad time to do so with the uncertainty of funding ... just have the service that we’re offering at a sustainable level, keep providing that service, because we know it’s important for elderly or low-income individuals who don’t have a car,” Mendoza said.
Right now, with 18 months of stable funding in hand, their looking to secure its program’s future beyond that. They shared updated local transit services:
Annual passes, $40 for adults and $20 under 17. Local routes are $1, exact change required. Cascade Locks to Portland is $10 each way. The current federal budget bill, HR 1, supports transit funding for years, unless a proposed referendum cuts it.
Routes including new, daily stops in Parkdale.
Timetables for stops at shops, college, medical services, and other points.
A winter route to Mt. Hood runs mid-December through mid-March.
A new “Plan Your Trip” tool at Gorgetransit.com, and travel trainers who can help. Para obtener ayuda en español, llame a Eva Elderwell al 808-769-8061.
An “accessibility tab” on the website for each bus stop with details like steps, ramps, surfaces, walkways, parking, and type of bathroom access.
The Dalles Business Pass program: employees and residents below 12th Street get free Gorge passes.
Gorge Transit Connect helps elderly and low-income individuals who don’t qualify for The Dalles’ program with free or discounted passes. Contact Crook.
Shopping shuttles, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in The Dalles and south county Tuesday and Thursday, and monthly in Hood River.
An upcoming Dial-A-Ride Gorge pass that, for $80, will include calling up a transit car to an unusual destination. Free to low-income people through Gorge Transit Connect.
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