Committed to community for 42-years
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The following is a paid advertisement by Basin Transit Service.
Since 1981, Basin Transit Service (BTS) has provided over 12.6 million rides to a wide range of individuals of diverse populations through safe, efficient, and accessible public transportation - enhancing the community’s livability within the district it proudly serves.
In 2022, BTS provided nearly 200,000 rides through its fixed route service and Basin Lift. 30% of which were for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, over 13,000 free rides were provided to Veterans; over 10,000 rides were provided to children; and over 15,000 to college students.
The value of BTS services expands well beyond those who actively ride any of its services.
BTS has hosted interns from Klamath Community College and Klamath Union High School. They leveraged their facilities for Oregon State Police K9 training and supported Klamath County Fire District 1 during structure fires, providing buses as temporary shelters. In addition, BTS has donated multiple pieces of retired equipment to several local academic and non-profit organizations.
After four decades of serving the community, BTS is calling on the community it serves for help.
“Basin Transit services and demand have grown exponentially following a reinvigorated mobility management effort,” said Adrian Mateos BTS General Manager. “However, the success is now also posing a threat to the community and BTS because the transit district cannot sustain its current operations with such increased demand beyond 2024.”
BTS By the Numbers. (Click to enlarge)
“Without appropriate funding for the future, BTS would need to reduce hours of operation and cut certain programs.”
“The approval or disapproval of the levy will assist us in determining the direction and level of service that the public wants BTS to provide. We look forward to receiving public input on what service levels BTS should sustain.”
Critical programs like Veterans on the Go help Veterans obtain proper medical care. Basin Lift provides service for transporting dozens of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to REACH daily, enabling them to attend job placement and training programs, gain fulfilling work, and the skills needed to maintain a job in the community.
These programs remove transportation barriers and greatly assist low-income individuals, Veterans, the disabled, and the Basins aging populations.
Due to the increased ridership, the number of vehicles and operators required to meet the service levels has nearly doubled and local funding has not increased as expenses and demand have increased.
This May, Basin Transit Service Transportation District is presenting measure 18-130 to the community. The measure will levy operating funds for public transportation services over the next five years. If approved, a rate of $.29 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value would begin July 1, 2023.
A home with an assessed value of $250,000 would contribute $72.50 to maintain current levels of public transportation for the general public, low-income individuals, seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, youth, and students assuring a stainable transportation service for our community.
Historically the Basin has stepped up when BTS needed them most. In 1992, the community approved a levy of $0.59 per thousand and in 1997 were locked at $0.48 per thousand. Rates have remained unchanged since then.
In addition to pursuing the levy, BTS is making internal operational changes as well. BTS Administration has:
implemented lean management practices, and
begun replacing older inefficient buses with newer modern equipment more suited for the current needs of the community.
Without the additional funding, the agency’s fiscal projections predict a $334,000 funding gap for fiscal year 2023/2024. It is expected that this number will dramatically increase over the years due to inflation further impacting BTS's ability to sustain current service levels.
Last December the BTS Board of Directors approved a resolution to seek the community’s approval for the five-year levy as an effort to sustain current service levels.
Elected officials of BTS are firm that they are not advocating for or against the measure, but that they are educating and presenting our community an opportunity to direct what service level of public transportation it desires.
“The approval or disapproval of the levy will assist us in determining the direction and level of service that the public wants BTS to provide,” said Eric Noble, Chair of the BTS Board of Directors. “We look forward to receiving public input on what service levels BTS should sustain.”