May 3, 2024 3:40 a.m.
Umpqua Public Transportation District will be making adjustments to its services over the coming weeks and months.
An UPTD release said several factors are contributing to the need for adjustments, including rising costs and rapid expansion over the past two years. General Manager Cheryl Cheas said the changes include:
*Effective Monday, May 13th, there will be fewer options during the day on the Winston and Sutherlin routes, as well as adjustments to the routes to increase efficiency.
*Effective Monday, May 13th, the ParaTransit and Umpqua Rides Dial-A-Ride service levels will revert to levels similar to what the district offered prior to its expansion in March 2023.
*Effective June 1, a regular, one-way ride will increase 50 cents to $1.50. For seniors and people with disabilities the fare will change from 50 to 75 cents per ride.
*ParaTransit service for qualifying people with disabilities who are not able to ride the fixed-route bus system due to a disability will increase from $2 to $3.
*Umpqua Rides will move to a $5 fare and service will be limited to weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a space-available basis. These rides are typically 7-25 miles long and take up to an hour to complete.
*Monthly passes will also see an increase, although it is less than what was charged in 2022. A regular monthly pass will be $40. A pass for seniors or people with disabilities will be $20. Kids and veterans will continue to ride for free.
Cheas said, “The UPTD Board and staff realize we have come to a point where new services, fare structure, service area requirement and internal practices all need to be evaluated and some adjustments need to be made in the short term to ensure sustainability in the long term”. Cheas said, “Adjustments now ensure we are able to continue to offer much needed public transportation services into the future”.
Look for more information to be posted soon to: www.umpquatransit.com of the agency’s Facebook page.
Cheryl Cheas will talk about the changes on the Morning Conversation Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN.