Would you take CAT to ski if costs jumped?

HOOD RIVER — Taking the bus to Mount Hood Meadows or Teacup Snopark was free when Columbia Area Transit (CAT) piloted the service in 2019. The next year, the Hood River County agency started charging $5 for a round-trip ticket on the Gorge-to-Mountain Express.

Now, CAT officials are considering a proposal to double that, raising the price to $5 one way, or $10 round-trip. And with federal support uncertain, executive director Amy Schlappi is peeking just a little further into the future.

“Based on last year’s ridership and last year’s expenses,” she told CAT board members at their Oct. 15 meeting, “if we charge $10 each way, it could pay for the service.”

To be clear: a $20 round-trip ticket is not on the table right now. But board members would like to hear from members of the public about the proposal to charge $10 round-trip.

No one provided input at a public hearing Oct. 15. A second hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19, with the board likely to vote on the fare increase immediately afterwards.

Schlappi gave board members several reasons to support the fare increase and switch to one-way tickets.

• Costs to run the service are going up.

• It’s popular, with ridership climbing 10% each year.

• Internet service on the mountain has improved. (One reason for selling only round-trip tickets was the unreliability of buying tickets using a phone from the Meadows parking lot.)

Board members wanted to know whether Gorge Pass holders, who pay $40 annually for unlimited rides on CAT and partner agency services, could still use the mountain service at no extra charge under the current proposal. Schlappi said yes, but added that might need to be re-considered in the future. CAT staff estimate that 60% of Gorge-to-Mountain riders now are Gorge Pass holders.

Board members also wondered how $10 round-trip compares to the cost of driving, and to other ski shuttle services.

Schlappi had some comparisons on hand.

“Fuel cost only, assuming 18 miles per gallon, is approximately $16.48 round trip,” she said, noting that the cost goes up to $50 “if you’re taking into account wear and tear on your car.”

“And you have to pay for a parking pass,” board member Matt Althoff chimed in. A daily Sno-Park permit costs $4 or more, depending where you buy it.

As far as other shuttles, board members noted that rides on the Cascades East Transit service from Bend up to Mount Bachelor are listed at $7 one way, $12 round trip, with a $299 bus pass for the season.

As far as federal support, Schlappi said the current government shutdown means she has not heard back about a grant to help run the service this winter and for the following two years.

“We’re still proceeding as if everything is going okay,” she said, but wanted board members to be aware of the uncertainty.

Board Chair Megan Ramey emphasized the need to keep the ski bus service affordable for young people, as a way to get them comfortable using transit.

“I think the Gorge-to-Mountain Express has helped a lot with helping parents … understand that transit is safe and great to foster independence in kids,” she said.

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Read full notes of the CAT board’s Oct. 15 meeting by Documenter Jinlu Yuan at columbia-gorge.documenters.org.