Columbia Area Transit Executive Director Amy Schlappi stands inside one of the new 35-passanger buses that will be used on the Columbia Gorge Express route. For more information about bus routes, or to buy a pass, visit www.ridecatbus.org.
Columbia Area Transit’s cat logo decorates the sides of each bus. The new buses will run the Columbia Gorge Express route, which takes visitors as far as Portland and includes a stop at Multnomah Falls.
Columbia Area Transit Executive Director Amy Schlappi stands inside one of the new 35-passanger buses that will be used on the Columbia Gorge Express route. For more information about bus routes, or to buy a pass, visit www.ridecatbus.org.
HOOD RIVER — The newest members of the Columbia Area Transit (CAT) fleet are picking up passengers.
CAT recently acquired two 35-passenger, ADA accessible Freightliner buses destined for the Columbia Gorge Express route, which starts in Hood River and makes stops at Cascade Locks, Multnomah Falls, Troutdale and Portland (with connecting buses to The Dalles) daily, year-round. The former Gorge Express buses will now be used on the Gorge-To-Mountain route.
The Gorge Express route is used by both visitors and locals, and for a variety of reasons — medical visits, shopping, or getting to the airport among them.
It also helps reduce vehicle traffic and pollution.
“It’s a key mitigation measure to assist with moving visitors throughout the Gorge, but also at Multnomah Falls in reducing congestion,” said CAT Executive Director Amy Schlappi. “In order to accommodate the demand for that route, we do need these bigger buses … I think they really speak to the board’s commitment of providing comfortable, reliable, safe transit service to the community.”
Schlappi added CAT is additionally “working on creating more efficient routes [and] ensuring that our most vulnerable community members are being taken care of.”
There are other changes underway, such as the board approving same day Dial-A-Ride service; previously, a day’s notice was required. (Advanced notice is still encouraged to ensure availability, however.)
One thing that has stayed the same: CAT offers free bus passes to all Hood River County School District middle and high school students.
The intent “is to help teach them how to use public transportation here, so that when they go to bigger cities, when they’re going to college or they’re traveling, they feel comfortable [on a bus],” Schlappi said. CAT also has a ridership program for downtown employees “to reduce congestion and safety concerns,” she said.
Columbia Area Transit’s cat logo decorates the sides of each bus. The new buses will run the Columbia Gorge Express route, which takes visitors as far as Portland and includes a stop at Multnomah Falls.
Trisha Walker photo
CAT is part of the Gorge Transit Alliance, which includes The Link in Wasco County and Mount Adams Transportation Services in Klickitat, and all take the Gorge Transit Pass. Additionally, The Link and CAT share a “travel trainer” who can help those unfamiliar with riding public transportation feel more comfortable.
Ultimately, Schlappi said, the goal is to ensure CAT works as smoothly as possible for everyone.
“I really like my job,” she said. “I love being able to work with people and I love … managing a system that helps people reduce their transportation barriers — because if you have them, that can make your life infinitely harder.
“But if there’s a system that’s easy to use, then it makes your life better. And that’s our goal.”
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