Whatcom Transportation Authority

Last updated
Whatcom Transportation Authority
Whatcom Transportation Authority logo.svg
Commenced operationJanuary 1, 1984 (1984-01-01)
Headquarters4111 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham 48°47′12.5″N122°26′56″W / 48.786806°N 122.44889°W / 48.786806; -122.44889
Locale Whatcom County, Washington
Service type bus service, paratransit, vanpool
Routes32 (includes 4 GO routes)
Fleet62 buses, 42 paratransit vehicles, 39 vans
Annual ridership4,703,807 (2019) [1]
Website www.ridewta.com

The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is the public transit authority of Whatcom County in northwestern Washington, based in the city of Bellingham. It provides bus service on 28 fixed routes, including branded four "GO Lines" with 15-minute frequencies on weekdays. In addition to bus service, the WTA offers paratransit service and a vanpool programs.

Contents

The WTA is funded by a 0.6% sales tax within the Whatcom County public transportation benefit area (PTBA) and grants from the state and federal governments. Service began on January 1, 1984, using equipment bought from the Bellingham municipal transit system after a countywide authority was established a year earlier. The WTA carried 4,451,508 total riders on fixed bus routes in 2019, and 4,703,807 across all its services. Average weekday boardings on fixed routes was 15,935. [2] [3]

History

The Whatcom Transportation Authority was created in 1983 and service in western Whatcom County, including the cities of Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden, began on January 1, 1984. The city of Bellingham began operating its own municipal transit system in 1971 by taking over a failing private operator, funding it with a 0.3% sales tax within the city beginning in 1975. The system was absorbed into the new countywide public transportation benefit area, which adopted the same sales tax rate in 1983. [4]

Predecessors

Public transportation in Whatcom County has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The first significant mode of public transit was the streetcar, which began operating in the 1890s. The Bellingham Bay Improvement Company ran the electric streetcars, connecting various neighborhoods to the central business districts of Bellingham. This system expanded in the early 20th century, playing a crucial role in the urban development of the area. [5]

The streetcar system continued to be the main form of public transportation until the 1920s and 1930s when automobiles and buses began to take over. In 1938, the last streetcar line was discontinued and replaced with diesel buses, signaling the end of the streetcar era. [5]

Private bus operators initially filled the void left by the streetcars. However, these private services struggled financially and operationally. By the 1940s and 1950s, several attempts to stabilize and improve bus transit were made, but with limited success. [6]

In 1971, Bellingham took over a failing private bus company, establishing a municipal transit system funded by a 0.3% sales tax introduced in 1975. This system laid the foundation for a more extensive regional approach to public transportation. [4]

Services

Bus routes

GO Lines

The "GO Lines" are four corridors where local service combines for 15-minute headways on weekdays and are branded with a specific color by the WTA beginning in 2005. [7]

A fifth GO Line, the Red Line from Bellingham Station to the Fairhaven Transportation Center, was removed in March 2017. [11]

County Connector

WTA Route 80X, known as the County Connector, is an inter-county route operated by the WTA and Skagit Transit that makes 9 daily roundtrips on weekdays and 5 daily roundtrips on Saturdays and Sundays between Bellingham Station and Skagit Station in Mount Vernon, with intermediate stops at park and rides along Interstate 5. There is also a shuttle bus that connects Route 80X to Western Washington University with 3 weekday roundtrips. [12] [13]

The shuttle bus 80S also takes students from Western to Lincoln Creek Park and Ride so they can transfer to the 80X to Mount Vernon. To ride on Skagit Transit buses, WWU and WCC students can show their IDs to the driver and board for free. On WTA buses, WWU and WCC IDs issues before 2022 can be swiped in the fare box as a bus pass. New IDs are NFC-enabled, meant to be tapped on the Umo readers as a bus pass.

Fleet

The WTA operates a fleet of 64 full-size buses, 52 paratransit vehicles, and 35 vanpool vans. [14] As of 2017, their entire bus fleet consist of Gillig Low Floor 40-foot (12 m) buses that seat 32 to 40 passengers. Eight units ordered in 2012 are diesel-electric hybrids. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEPTA</span> Public transportation authority

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly four million people in five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also manages projects that maintain, replace and expand its infrastructure, facilities and vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Area Rapid Transit</span> American transit agency

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is a transit agency serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex of Texas. It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and twelve of its suburbs. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 50,463,300, or about 157,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GoTriangle</span>

The Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority, known as GoTriangle, provides regional bus service to the Research Triangle region of North Carolina in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties. The GoTriangle name was adopted in 2015 as part of the consolidated GoTransit branding scheme for the Triangle. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,735,700, or about 6,100 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-Tran (Washington)</span> Public transit operator in Clark County, Washington

C-Tran, more formally the Clark County Public Transit Benefit Area Authority, is a public transit agency serving Clark County, Washington, United States, including the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt. Founded in 1981, C-Tran operates fixed route bus services within Clark County, as well as paratransit services for qualified persons with disabilities (C-Van) and a dial-a-ride service in Camas, Ridgefield, and La Center. C-Tran also provides express commuter services between Clark County and Downtown Portland, Oregon and regional services to the Parkrose/Sumner and Delta Park MAX Light Rail stations, and Oregon Health and Science University. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 4,738,700, or about 14,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority</span> Public transit agency for the city and suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, USA

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is the public transit agency for Cleveland, Ohio, United States and the surrounding suburbs of Cuyahoga County. RTA is the largest transit agency in Ohio, with a ridership of 22,431,500, or about 92,500 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynx (Orlando)</span> Public transportation service in Orlando, Florida

Lynx is a transit system serving the greater Orlando, Florida area. Operated by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, it provides bus, curb-to-curb, and paratransit services in three counties: Orange, Seminole, and Osceola. Bus routes are referred to as Links.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pace (transit)</span> Suburban bus and paratransit service in the Chicago metropolitan area

Pace is the suburban bus and regional paratransit division of the Regional Transportation Authority serving the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act, which established the formula that provides funding to the CTA, Metra, and Pace. The various agencies providing bus service in the Chicago suburbs were merged under the Suburban Bus Division, which rebranded as Pace in 1984. In 2022, Pace had 18.041 million riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Transit Authority</span> Public transportation operator northern Utah, United States

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is a special service district responsible for providing public transportation throughout the Wasatch Front of Utah, in the United States, which includes the metropolitan areas of Ogden, Park City, Provo, Salt Lake City and Tooele. It operates fixed route buses, flex route buses, express buses, ski buses, three light rail lines in Salt Lake County (TRAX), a streetcar line in Salt Lake City, and a commuter rail train (FrontRunner) from Ogden through Salt Lake City to Provo. UTA is headquartered in Salt Lake City with operations and garages in locations throughout the Wasatch Front, including Ogden, Midvale and Orem. Light rail vehicles are stored and maintained at yards at locations in South Salt Lake and Midvale. UTA's commuter rail equipment is stored and serviced at a facility in Salt Lake City. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 35,058,000, or about 133,500 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spokane Transit Authority</span> Public transit authority

Spokane Transit Authority, more commonly Spokane Transit or STA, is the public transport authority of central Spokane County, Washington, United States, serving Spokane, Washington, and its surrounding urban areas. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 9,215,700, or about 34,400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interurban Transit Partnership</span> Public transit system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

The Interurban Transit Partnership, branded as The Rapid, is the public transit operator serving Grand Rapids, Michigan and its suburbs. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,239,500, or about 24,100 per weekday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DART First State</span> Delawares public transport system operator

The Delaware Transit Corporation, operating as DART First State, is the only public transportation system that operates throughout the U.S. state of Delaware. DART First State provides local and inter-county bus service throughout the state and also funds commuter rail service along SEPTA Regional Rail's Wilmington/Newark Line serving the northern part of the state. The agency also operates statewide paratransit service for people with disabilities. DART First State is a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Island Transit (Washington)</span> Local public transit operator in Island County, Washington

Island Transit is a zero-fare transit system in Island County, Washington, serving Whidbey Island and Camano Island. The system consists of fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and vanpools, and carried a total of 974,899 passengers in 2015. Island Transit added Sunday service in May of 2023.

Skagit Transit is a public transit system in Skagit County, Washington, US. It operates 19 fixed-route bus routes, as well as paratransit and vanpool services across the entire county. The agency was founded in 1993 and is funded by a 0.4 percent local sales tax.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is a government agency that provides public transportation for Pinellas County, Florida. The authority manages a fixed-route bus system that encompasses over 40 bus routes - including two express routes to Tampa; the Central Avenue Trolley; the Suncoast Beach Trolley; and the bus rapid transit service, the SunRunner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lextran</span>

Lextran is a public transportation bus system serving Lexington, Kentucky. Lextran operates 25 bus routes throughout the city of Lexington. Buses converge at the Downtown Transit Center located at 220 East Vine Street. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 3,901,900, or about 14,500 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County</span>

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) is the public body responsible for the transportation needs throughout Reno, Sparks and Washoe County, Nevada. The RTC, founded by the Nevada Legislature in 1979, is an amalgamation of the Regional Street and Highway Commission, the Regional Transit Commission and the Washoe County Area Transportation Study Policy Committee. They provide public transportation services, street and highway construction, and transportation planning. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 5,162,600, or about 16,200 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

The COMET, officially the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA), is a regional transportation authority formed by Richland County, City of Columbia, and Lexington County on April 24, 2000, by the Central Midlands Council of Governments. The COMET consists of an intergovernmental agreement signed by Richland County, the City of Columbia, the City of Forest Acres, and Lexington County to fund, operate and maintain public transit services and mass transportation in Richland and Lexington counties in the Columbia metropolitan area of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SolTrans</span> Transportation service in Solano County, California

SolTrans, officially Solano County Transit, is a Joint Powers Authority that provides public transportation service to the southern Solano County cities of Vallejo and Benicia. SolTrans was established in 2011 and is the result of a merger between Vallejo Transit and Benicia Breeze. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 954,200, or about 3,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RapidRide G Line</span> Future bus rapid transit route in Seattle, Washington

The RapidRide G Line is a future RapidRide bus service in Seattle, Washington, operated by King County Metro on Madison Street between Downtown Seattle and Madison Valley. The line is projected to open for service on September 14, 2024, and cost $133.4 million.

References

  1. ↑ "Performance Reports". Whatcom Transportation Authority. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ "RideWTA". www.ridewta.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  3. ↑ "Federal Transit Administration - Transit Agency Profiles". Transit.dot.gov. 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  4. 1 2 "Local Transit Statewide" (PDF). Public Transportation in Washington State (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. December 1988. pp. 102–105. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Bellingham grew up along its streetcar lines Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  6. ↑ [reference]
  7. ↑ "The GO Lines". Whatcom Transportation Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  8. ↑ Paben, Jared (January 30, 2008). "Campus passes boost WTA bus ridership". Bellingham Herald. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ "WTA to Hold Public Hearing on REVISED Service Reduction Proposal". Whatcom Transportation Authority. May 2010. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  10. ↑ "New Service and Changes to Service As of March 19, 2017" (PDF). Whatcom Transportation Authority. March 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  11. ↑ Mittendorf, Robert (March 8, 2017). "Bus routes, schedules changing – what about the one you ride?". Bellingham herald. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ "County Connector". Whatcom Transportation Authority. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ "County Connectors". Skagit Transit . Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Appendix A: List of Rolling Stock, Facilities and Equipment" (PDF). Whatcom Transportation Authority 2016 Report and Transit Development Plan 2017 – 2022 (Report). Whatcom Transportation Authority. July 20, 2017. pp. 25–33. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ "2017 Report & Transit Development Plan 2018–2023" (PDF). Whatcom Transportation Authority. August 16, 2018. pp. 25–29. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.