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.

Not to be confused with Valley Transit in Appleton, Wisconsin, or Valley Metro in Phoenix, Arizona.
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operated an intercity route to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, through an intergovernmental agreement;[4] it has since been replaced by a bus operated by the city government of Milton-Freewater.[5]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]

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

Valley Transit operates 10 routes, operating from Monday to Saturday; on weekdays, normal services run from 6:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., while two "flex" routes operate from 5:50 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. on weekday evenings and 10:45 a.m. to 6:10 p.m on Saturdays.[8]

  • Route 1 (Mainline): Wal-Mart to Walla Walla Community College via Rose Street and Isaacs Avenue, Downtown Transfer Center, Whitman College
  • Route 2 (College Place Ciculator): Wal-Mart to Walla Walla University
  • Route 3 (2nd Avenue/Wa-Hi): Downtown Transfer Center to Walla Walla High School via Walla Walla General Hospital
  • Route 4 (Melrose/Alder): Downtown Transfer Center to K-Mart via Alder Street and Melrose Street
  • Route 5 (Fairgrounds): Downtown Transfer Center to Plaza Shopping Center/Walla Walla County Fairgrounds via 9th Avenue
  • Route 6 (VA/Medical Loop): Downtown Transfer Center to Fort Walla Walla, VA Hospital
  • Route 7 (Pleasant Street Loop): Downtown Transfer Center to Pioneer Park
  • Route 9 (Pine Street Loop): Downtown Transfer Center to Washington State Penitentiary
  • East Loop (Flex): Downtown Transfer Center to Walla Walla Community College via Melrose Street, isaacs Avenue, Alder Street
  • West Loop (Flex): Downtown Transfer Center to Wal-Mart via Rose Street, College Avenue, Dalles Military Road

Intercity connections

Valley Transit connects to several intercity bus routes, operated by agencies, at the Walla Walla Transit Center in downtown Walla Walla:[9]

Fares

Valley Transit charges a 50-cent fare on its routes for passengers aged 5 years or older; those under 5, up to 3 per fare-paying rider, ride for free. Monthly passes and ticket books are also offered.[8]

During the summer months, Valley Transit runs fare-free to encourage newcomers to try the system.[10]

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. 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. 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. "Valley Transit Rider Information". Valley Transit. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  9. "Intercity Travel". Valley Transit. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  10. Hillhouse, Vicki (May 25, 2016). "Valley Transit set for another fare-free summer". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
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