Columbia Gorge Express bus starts Friday to Hood River

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/21/2018 02:49 PM PDT

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May 21, 2018

Contact: Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452

Don.Hamilton@odot.state.or.us

 

Columbia Gorge Express bus starts Friday

with service to Hood River

ODOT’s popular Columbia Gorge Express bus service begins its third year on Friday May 25 and now it will go as far east as Hood River and operate seven days a week, year-round.

On Friday May 25, the bus will begin Friday-Saturday-Sunday service – plus Memorial Day -- from Gateway Transit Center in Portland to Rooster Rock State Park, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks and Hood River.

On June 11, the bus will start service seven days a week, year-round.

“This service opens up access to the treasures of the Columbia River Gorge to people who had no way to get there in the past,” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT’s regional manager for the Portland area. “The expansion of this service to Cascade Locks and Hood River is not only critically important to the economies of hard hit Gorge communities, but also will allow folks to explore a variety of new recreation opportunities throughout the Gorge while some of the trails they are used to visiting remain closed.”

Service will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday when the first bus of the day leaves Gateway Transit Center. The last bus of the day departs Hood River for Portland at 7:10 p.m.

In 2016, season one surpassed expectations -- nearly 30,000 trips over 18 weekends -- and highlighted the demand for transit service in the Gorge. Season two in summer 2017 saw about the same total ridership, but over just 15 weekends, the last three weekends cancelled because of the Eagle Creek Fire. Average daily ridership increased by 10 percent from 2016 to 2017.

A round-trip ticket from Gateway Transit Center to Multnomah Falls will still cost $5 per person and an all-day, hop-on/hop-off pass will cost $15 for individuals and $40 for a group of up to 4 people (group pass only available online). Children 6 and under ride for free.

Riders are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid boarding delays. Travelers may also park at Rooster Rock State Park, pay the day use fee of $5 per vehicle and ride the shuttle for no additional charge.

ODOT will have staff on hand on weekends at Multnomah Falls to assist riders with the service.

For the full schedule, tickets, and more information go to www.ColumbiaGorgeExpress.com