Give the Bus a Try!

Give the Bus a Try!

By Brian Curtin, CTR Program Coordinator

Well, CTR Guy, I was just wondering, what does public transportation have to offer me?”  Why should I abandon my SOSUV (Single-Occupancy Sport Utility Vehicle) for the relative unknown territory of the public transit system?  What’s in it for me?  Ahh …my naïve young friend, allow me to elaborate on the benefits of public transportation.

Besides the miserable gas mileage, high maintenance costs, and the fact you’ve never had the thing in four-wheel drive, what do you find attractive about your SOSUV?  Combine that with the fact you have to find a double-wide parking space when you arrive at work, why wouldn’t you consider finding an alternative transportation mode to work?  Oh, and not to mention the fact that you live only four miles from work and the closest bus stop is a block away!  Please, don’t think me critical of you – everyone else is doing the same thing.  You had the courage and good sense to explore your choices, and you are to be commended for your efforts.

For people traveling in the greater Yakima, Selah, and Union Gap area, your first step to redemption is acquisition of a Yakima Transit Bus Book (available online, on all Yakima Transit buses, and at the Transit Center on 4th Street between Walnut and Yakima Ave.; or call Yakima Transit at 575-6175 for a copy), and a Union Gap bus schedule (available online and at Union Gap City Hall). Within those pages, you will find every bit of information required to make your transition from SOSUV to SMOV (Smart Multiple Occupancy Vehicle).  You’ll find that there are over 500 bus stops throughout the Cities of Selah, Yakima and Union Gap, located about every two blocks along each bus route.  One-way bus service is only $1.00, or 75 cents if you’re 6-17 years old. If you are a member of the “Greatest Generation” (62 or older), a person with disabilities, or a Medicare card holder, the fare is only 50 cents. Little ones six and under ride for free (be sure to bring an adult). Transfers are also free. Monthly passes are even more economical: $25 for adults, $18 for youths, and $9 for reduced fare. And, if you are using the Union Gap transit system, you ride for free!  You certainly can’t fill your tank once for the price of a monthly pass!  And if you are heading for Ellensburg, don’t forget that you can catch a bus there as well, for $4.00 one way or with a monthly pass for only $125.00.

 

 

For those traveling in the LowerValley communities, check out the commuting opportunities offered by Community Connector (People for People) and the newly re-introduced Pahto Passage (Yakama Tribal Transit system). Both of these systems work cooperatively to provide much-needed transportation services to LowerValley communities, they interconnect, and they are free! For up-to-date information and schedules regarding these services, visit: http:// www.pfp.org .

All of the routes are served by ADA-accessible buses to accommodate passengers using mobility devices, such as wheelchairs. What more could you ask for? And if you want to ride your bike to the bus stop, all of the buses are equipped with bike racks. Your feet need never touch the ground (your bike, to bus, to work). For those with mobility impairments, Yakima Transit and Union Gap Transit both provide door-to-door transportation to pre-qualified riders. This program is called Dial-A-Ride – for applications, call 575-6054. For additional information about Yakima Transit call 575-6175 or visit their website at www.yakimatransit.org/

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