Basin Transit launches new service; planning further expansion
/
The following is a paid advertorial from Basin Transit Service.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - This week Basin Transit Service (BTS) inaugurated a point-to-point public transportation transit service named Basin Connect. The service connects riders in cities and communities in Klamath County to Klamath Falls. BTS also offers Basin Lift an in-district door-to-door transportation service for riders aged 65+ or with an ADA-defined disability.
Basin Connect
Twice-a-week BTS provides free public transportation to Bly, Beatty, Bonanza, Keno, Worden, Dairy, Midland, Falcon Heights, Running Y, Rocky Point, Lake of the Woods, Merril, and Malin.
Basin Connect is available free of charge for the general public thanks to payroll transit tax revenue. Riders will additionally receive a fixed route Day Pass upon arrival in Klamath Falls.
Mary Booker, of Bly, Ore., had the privilege of being the first rider on Basin Connect. Booker, a US Air Force Veteran, has an impressive military and Department of Defense Contractor career including working with the Navy’s Top Gun program at Fallon Naval Air Station.
Booker shared with the BTS leadership that Basin Connect is a dream come true for Bly residents, particularly for Seniors that can no longer drive and for low-income individuals. She further took the initiative to connect several Bly residents with Basin Lift, improving the quality of life of many.
BTS Board of Directors are also optimistic about the service providing recreational opportunities.
George Gregory, general manager, of Lake of the Woods Resort recently stated “Lake of the Woods Resort is very pleased to support the new transit service to and from Lake of the Woods and the surrounding area. The additional access opportunity this will provide to the Klamath Basin community is amazing."
Basin Lift
BTS also offers a door-to-door transportation service for in-district riders. Basin Lift (formally known as Dial-a-Ride) is designed to help riders that find using traditional fixed routes difficult or impossible.
Basin Lift is available for riders aged 65 or older, or with a disability as defined by the American Disabilities Act. Use the service to visit friends, go to the movies, shopping, or out to dinner. Wherever you choose to go, Basin Lift will get you there.
BTS Basin Lift service is experiencing record demand that more than doubled in 2022. Hundreds of US military Veterans are benefitting from Basin Lift and BTS’s Veterans on the Go program, a project in partnership with ODOT, Klamath County Veteran Affairs Office, and BTS, which is providing over 1,000 rides free every month to local Veterans.
Riders must be pre-certified to use Basin Lift. Visit https://www.basintransit.com/basin-lift to download an application or call BTS at 541-883-2877. Veterans ride free with a Klamath County Veterans Services card.
Future Expansion
Basin Transit continues to innovate and improve service for remote locations within Klamath County.
“BTS is also actively discussing public transportation options with the northern part of Klamath County with community leaders of that area,” explained Craig Johnston, operations manager of Basin Transit. “Preliminary research has shown that needs are not met with a current service similar to Basin Connect, and options are being studied to develop a concept by 2023.”
Riders may request free training to learn to ride Basin Connect, BTS fixed route, or Basin Lift by calling 541-883-2877 to schedule FREE rider training.