La Grande Transit Hub, run by Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, is a stop for transit connecting to Pendleton, Wallowa County, Baker City, Boise, Walla Walla and Portland.
Prakruti Bhatt / OPB
Beginning Dec. 15, residents of northeast Oregon will now have a public transit option again to reach Portland and Boise. The daily service will be operated by Northwestern Stagelines and is funded by a one-year startup grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The aim is that fares will cover costs for the service after one year of operations.
The new route resumes intercity bus service in the region 11 months after Flixbus (formerly Greyhound) canceled service on the I-84 corridor between Pasco, Washington, and Boise, Idaho. Without the greyhound service, the bus ride between Pendleton and Portland grew from three hours to nine and a half hours with four transfers.
The new service will connect to regional transit operators in Hermiston, Baker City, La Grande, Ontario, Boardman, and Nampa, Idaho, which had lost transit connections to Portland entirely. Hood River and The Dalles will also be included in this route.
Riders can already book tickets for dates later this month. Northwestern Stagelines said the prices will vary based on day and destination. Currently, a one-way ticket between Portland and Baker City on Dec. 17 runs $110.
Riders will be able to connect with long-distance Greyhound and Amtrak service in Portland, Boise, Idaho and Pasco, Washington.
