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Cascades East Transit plans earlier start, expanded hours and proposed $2 base fare; public comment open through August
Summary
Cascades East Transit told the board it plans to restore earlier service hours starting June 2, proposes a $2 base fare ($4 dial‑a‑ride) with a 3-trip‑per‑day cap and reduced fares at half price for qualifiers; a public comment period runs ahead of a COIC board decision Aug. 7.
Cascades East Transit (CET) Director Bob Johnson briefed the Deschutes County Board on May 21 about planned service and fare changes and a public outreach schedule.
Johnson said CET will restore earlier service hours starting June 2, changing Bend fixed-route hours to begin at 6 a.m. and run through 7:30 p.m. He said the agency will run 30‑minute headways during peak periods and hold a “tri-transit week” June 2–8 to promote the expanded service. CET expects to add Route 8 in Northeast Bend on July 14 and to launch a direct airport shuttle in July (date subject to final scheduling).
On fares Johnson said CET proposes a $2 base fare for fixed routes and a $4 fare for dial‑a‑ride services. CET would apply a three-trip daily cap (after three paid trips in a day additional rides would be free). Reduced fares would be half price (example: $1 on fixed routes). CET estimates 20–25% of current riders would pay full fare under the proposed structure and projects net fare revenue of $750,000–$1,000,000 next year if approved — in part to help expand or sustain routes. CET also plans a transit pass system — phone app or card — to be phased in this summer and implemented for fares around October 1, 2025.
Johnson said the agency is taking public comment and will bring a final fare proposal to the COIC board on Aug. 7; CET staff said they will host regional public meetings and accept written comments. He noted the pass system will also support rider safety and enforcement by restricting access when riders are banned for safety reasons. CET staff and commissioners discussed route tradeoffs, limited bus drivers and funding constraints for adding new routes beyond the near‑term priorities.
Commissioners welcomed the earlier start time for commuters and asked CET to continue outreach to workers and employers about schedules. Johnson said fares are designed to be comparable with other Oregon transit providers and that many social-service partners continue to subsidize fares for qualifying riders.
