Valley Transit (Washington)

Valley Transit is a public transit operator in Walla Walla County, Washington. It operates 10 routes in the cities of Walla Walla and College Place. Since 2022, Valley Transit's buses have been fare-free.

Valley Transit
Commenced operationJanuary 5, 1981 (1981-01-05)
Headquarters1401 West Rose Street
Walla Walla, Washington
LocaleWalla Walla County, Washington
Service typeBus service
Routes10
Fleet24 vehicles
Annual ridership693,694 (2013)[1]
Fuel typeDiesel, gasoline, electric
Websitevalleytransit.com

History

Valley Transit was founded as the Walla Walla County Public Transportation Benefit Area in 1979, becoming the county's public transportation benefit area. A 0.3 percent sales tax was approved by voters on March 18, 1980, allowing for service to begin on January 5, 1981.[2] In its first year of operation, the system carried 435,500 passengers.[3]

Until 1997, Valley Transit operated an intercity route to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, through an intergovernmental agreement;[4] it has since been replaced by a bus operated by the city government of Milton-Freewater.[5]

On February 9, 2010, a 0.3 percent increase in sales tax was approved by 76 percent of voters to fund existing service and prevent service cuts.[6][7] In March 2020, Valley Transit eliminated its normal routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced service to hour-long loops and a series of shuttles. Fares were also temporarily eliminated.[8] Normal services were restored in March 2023 after staffing levels had recovered.[9]

Routes
Market Station in downtown Walla Walla, the main hub of Valley Transit

As of 2023, Valley Transit operates 10 routes in Walla Walla and surrounding communities. These routes generally run every 30 to 60 minutes from Monday to Saturdays.[10]

The agency also connects to several intercity bus routes, operated by other providers, at the Walla Walla Transit Center in downtown Walla Walla:[11]

Fares

Valley Transit began offering fare-free bus and dial-a-ride service during the summer in the mid-2010s to boost ridership.[12][13] The fare-free service was extended to year-round beginning in 2022 as part of a four-year pilot program funded by the state government's Move Ahead Washington package.[14]

The agency's fares were formerly 50 cents for passengers aged 5 years or older and free to those under 5 (up to three per fare-paying rider). Monthly passes and ticket books were also offered.[10] Valley Transit began using smartphone payments through Token Transit in 2018.[15]

References
  1. "Valley Transit (VT)" (PDF). National Transit Database. Federal Transit Administration. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  2. "History of Valley Transit". Valley Transit. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  3. Planning, Research and Public Transportation Division (October 1984). "Local Transit Statewide: Valley Transit". Public Transportation in Washington State, 1984 (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 135–140. OCLC 13007541. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016 – via National Transportation Library.
  4. Public Transportation and Rail Division (September 1997). "Valley Transit (Walla Walla County)". Public Transportation Systems in Washington State, 1996 Summary (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. p. 113. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016 – via National Transportation Library.
  5. Diaz, Alfred (July 12, 2016). "Milton-Freewater opts to drop fares for buses". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  6. "Special Election Results: February 9, 2010". Walla Walla County Auditor. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  7. Alexander, Whitman (February 9, 2010). "Walla Walla voters pass sales tax increase to maintain Valley Transit services". Whitman Pioneer. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  8. LeValley, Chloe (May 27, 2020). "Walla Walla Valley Transit rolls out phased approach to bring back services". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  9. Smith, Kate (March 28, 2023). "Walla Walla's Valley Transit returns to full service, and it's free to ride". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  10. "Rider Info". Valley Transit. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  11. "Intercity Travel". Valley Transit. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  12. Hillhouse, Vicki (May 25, 2016). "Valley Transit set for another fare-free summer". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  13. LeValley, Chloe (May 23, 2021). "Valley Transit riders can ride for free this summer on most services". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  14. Dinman, Emry (June 13, 2022). "Walla Walla's Valley Transit eliminates most fares for riders until 2026". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  15. Monserud, Andy (March 30, 2018). "Valley Transit rolls out easy-pay app". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
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