Ride Connection

Ride Connection
A Ride Connection minibus at Hillsboro Central Transit Center in 2014
A Ride Connection minibus at Hillsboro Central Transit Center in 2014
Overview
LocalePortland metropolitan area, Oregon, U.S.
Transit typePublic transport bus service, paratransit
Websiterideconnection.org
Operation
Began operationMay 26, 1988 (1988-05-26)

Ride Connection is a private, nonprofit organization that provides fixed bus route and paratransit services in the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was founded as Volunteer Transport, Inc. on May 26, 1988.

History

On May 26, 1988, Volunteer Transport, Inc. (VTI) was established to provide accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in the Portland metropolitan area. In 1990, it began partnering with TriMet to offer ADA-compliant paratransit services, enhancing accessibility for those unable to use fixed-route transit.[1][2]

Paratransit services

Ride Connection provides paratransit services to anyone over the age of 60 or with a disability, and people with low income.[3] It complements TriMet's LIFT.[4]

Fixed-route networks

Ride Connection refers to its fixed bus route services as "Community Connectors". As of 2024, it operates eight Community Connectors in communities mostly within Washington County. Riders may schedule an off-route pick up (within 1⁄2 mile of the route) by calling in. Ride Connection also partners with the Tillamook County Transportation District by subsidizing a Wave bus route between Banks, North Plains, and Portland. All services are fare free.[5][6]

GroveLink serves Forest Grove with two routes: West Loop and East Loop. A third, less-frequent route called the Employment Loop operates in the early mornings and early afternoons. GroveLink originated from a study that realized a need for a more local service than TriMet bus route 57–TV Highway/Forest Grove, which had operated as the only public transit service within Forest Grove with a single route along Pacific Avenue (Oregon Route 8) eastward to Hillsboro and Beaverton.[7] GroveLink began operating on August 19, 2013.[8][9]

The North Hillsboro Link began operating on November 16, 2015.[10]

Tualatin Shuttle

Tualatin Shuttle buses waiting at the Tualatin WES station

The Tualatin Shuttle serves Tualatin with three, color-designated routes, all of which connect at the Tualatin WES station, served by TriMet's WES Commuter Rail.[11] The Tualatin Shuttle began as the "Tualatin Employment Shuttle", established by the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce in 1997.[12] Ride Connection took over its operations on October 1, 2014.[13][14] The Blue Line operates a loop route west of the WES station within neighborhoods surrounding Herman Road. The Red Line operates another loop route south and east of the WES station with stops at the Tualatin Library and Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.[15] In September 2021, Ride Connection introduced a third route that runs from Bridgeport Village, the WES station, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, and Borland Free Clinic.[16][17] Service operates from Monday to Friday in coordination with WES train arrivals.[15]

Bethany Link began operating on October 14, 2024, connecting TriMet's Sunset Transit Center (and MAX Light Rail station) with the Bethany area and Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus via Cedar Mill. It operates Mondays to Fridays.[18][19][20]

References

  1. ^ "Ride Connection: The Early Years". Ride Connection. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  2. ^ Burkhardt, Jon E.; Koffman, David; Murray, Gail (2003). Economic Benefits of Coordinating Human Service Transportation and Transit Services (Report). Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board. pp. 62–66. ISBN 0309087651. Retrieved February 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Doubleday, Russ (November 16, 2017). "Smaller transit agencies are a lifeline for many older adults and people with disabilities". Metro. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Selinger, Philip (October 2019). "Making History: 50 Years of Transit in the Portland Region" (PDF). TriMet. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  5. ^ Evanson, Wade (September 30, 2020). "Ride Connection plans expansion in Washington County". Hillsboro News-Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  6. ^ Evanson, Wade (May 6, 2021). "New Ride Connection routes up and running". Forest Grove News-Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  7. ^ Miller, Mark; Singer, Olivia (August 21, 2018). "'A success story all around' celebrates five years". Forest Grove News-Times. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Smith, Jill Rehkopf (July 31, 2013). "GroveLink starts Aug. 19 in Forest Grove". Forest Grove News-Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "2013: Forest Grove linked by GroveLink shuttle service". Forest Grove News-Times. December 26, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Ryan, Jim (November 16, 2015). "No fare necessary: New bus service connects Orenco Station and North Hillsboro". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Miller, Mark (July 18, 2016). "Tualatin Shuttle modifies route to align with new bus line". The Times (Tualatin). Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Transportation". Tualatin Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Feldman, Caitlin (November 13, 2014). "Ride Connection assesses Tualatin Shuttle". The Times (Tualatin). Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Pursinger, Geoff (June 24, 2015). "First-ever TriMet bus line planned between Sherwood and Tualatin". Sherwood Gazette. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Connect with Tualatin Shuttle" (PDF). Ride Connection. May 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "Ride Connection is expanding its Tualatin free shuttle service!" (PDF). Ride Connection. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 1, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  17. ^ Kulla, Josh (October 6, 2021). "Ride Connection expands Tualatin free shuttle service". Tualatin Life. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "Ride Connection is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Community Connector route, BethanyLink". Ride Connection. October 11, 2024. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-14 – via Facebook.
  19. ^ "BethanyLink increases local transit options". The Cedar Mill News. November 3, 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
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