News and Alerts

Mt. Adams Transportation Services adds stop at CGCC Indian Creek Campus to Hood River Bus Route: The addition of a bus stop along the Mt. Adams Transportation Service (MATS) route to Hood River at the Columbia Gorge Community College Indian Creek Campus creates additional opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public to connect between the MATS and Columbia Area Transit (CAT) bus systems. The new stop is on Monday's and Wednesdays, three times each day. Passengers can now access buses to connect between White Salmon/Bingen and Hood River, as well as buses between Hood River and The Dalles. Fare for the MATS route is just $1.00 each way. Fare for the CAT route to The Dalles is $3.00 each way.
Click here for the MATS bus schedule
Click here for the CAT bus schedule
For more information, call MATS at 509-493-4662 or 800-493-7606.

Vanpooling in the Mid-Columbia River Gorge: A Feasibility Assessment and Investigation of Employer Preferences
The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, in partnership with the University of Oregon, completed a vanpool feasibility study and survey of large employers in the Mid-Columbia region. Businesses and organizations with over 80 employees were surveyed to assess perceptions and support of vanpool program structures, incentive options, potential benefits and concerns. The study includes a benefit-cost analysis that considers potential reductions in fuel use, emissions, accidents, and other results of decreases in Single-Occupancy-Vehicle use.
Click Here to view the report

If you have any questions or would like further information about the vanpool study, contact Scott Turnoy, Mobility Manager, MCEDD, at scott@mcedd.org
or call 541-296-2266.

Click here for information on vanpooling and links to regional rideshare resources.

Gorge TransLink hosts successful Gatekeeper Network Forum: Transportation providers, social services providers, and interested community members gathered on June 2, 2011 to participate in the first Gatekeeper Network Forum for Gorge TransLink. The Forum was formatted to build awareness of transportation options that are available in the Mid-Columbia River Gorge region among individuals and organizations that currently provide assistance to groups with a consistent need for public transportation. Such service providers are considered “Gatekeepers” for transportation providers to distribute information to low income families, senior citizens, veterans, non-English language speakers, job seekers, and individuals with disabilities. The event featured presentations from regional and county transportation providers, medical transportation providers, and representatives from both the Oregon and Washington State Department of Transportation. Participants also took part in an asset mapping exercise to illuminate current services in the region, as well as areas or populations that have challenges accessing transportation. Click here to view the Event Report.

WSDOT follows ODOT in supporting the Gorge TransLink Mobility Manager project for the 2011-2013 biennium: In early June, Washington State Department of Transportation confirmed approval of the consolidated grant application for Gorge TransLink's Mobility Manager project. The announcement comes on the heels of the May 18 approval by the Oregon Transportation Commission to provide discretionary funds through the federal New Freedom program to the Mobility Manager project. The WSDOT funding originates with the Federal Transit Administration's Transportation for Elderly Person and Persons with Disabilities (5310) program, which supports efforts to meet the transportation needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities when existing transportation services are "unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate" to meet the need (FTA 2011). The Mobility Manager project encourages connections between regional transportation providers and promotes strategies to increase access to transportation options for individuals with disabilities, individuals with low income, and elderly individuals in Gorge area communities.