Grant Transit Authority
{{Short description|Public Transit Operator}}
{{Infobox bus company
| name = Grant Transit Authority
| logo =
| logo_size =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| founded = {{start date|1996|11|5}}
| headquarters = 116 W 5th Ave
Moses Lake, Washington
| locale = Grant County, Washington
| service_type = Bus service
| routes = 13
| stops =
| fleet =
| ridership =
| annual_ridership = 39,215
| fuel_type = Diesel
| leader_type = General Manager
| leader = Greg Wright
| website = {{URL|https://www.granttransit.com/|granttransit.com}}
}}
The Grant Transit Authority is a public transit operator in Grant County, Washington. It operates 13 routes, including intercity services that converge in the city of Moses Lake. The agency's routes have been zero-fare since 2020.
History
File:Ephrata Station and GTA bus.jpg]]
Grant Transit Authority began as a demonstration project with four buses in November 1995. The project, deemed a success after one year, led to a November 1996 vote to establish a public transportation benefit area (PTBA) to fund a permanent system. The vote passed, creating a 0.2 percent sales tax and allowing regular service to begin and expand the following year.{{cite web |year=2001 |title=History |url=http://www.gta-ride.com/history.htm |publisher=Grant Transit Authority |accessdate=July 15, 2016}} The first buses began operating on November 5, 1996.{{cite news |last=Schweizer |first=Cheryl |date=November 3, 2016 |title=Grant Transit Authority to celebrate 20th birthday |url=https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2016/nov/03/grant-transit-authority-to-celebrate-20th-2/ |work=Columbia Basin Herald |accessdate=August 29, 2024}}
The PTBA boundaries were expanded in 1998 to include Quincy, which had opted out of the 1996 vote, thus encompassing all of Grant County. The Grant Transit Authority previously partnered with a local non-profit organization, People for People, for operations but became independent in October 2013.
In 2015, construction began on a new transit center in downtown Moses Lake.{{cite news |last=Sukola |first=Tiffany |date=September 11, 2014 |title=GTA proposes Moses Lake transit center |url=http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/gta-proposes-moses-lake-transit-center/article_36b83d44-392a-11e4-98b5-001a4bcf887a.html |work=Columbia Basin Herald |accessdate=July 15, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The transit center opened on August 1, 2017, with an indoor waiting area, a customer service desk, and several bays.{{cite news |last=Schweizer |first=Cheryl |date=August 1, 2017 |title=Grant Transit Authority opens doors at multimodal facility |url=https://www.columbiabasinherald.com/article/20170801/ARTICLE/170809990 |work=Columbia Basin Herald |accessdate=December 22, 2019}} The Grant Transit Authority debuted inter-county commuter services during the same month, connecting Moses Lake to Ellensburg and Wenatchee on weekdays.{{cite news |last=Hyland |first=Natalie |date=August 12, 2017 |title=New Grant County buses running between Ellensburg, Moses Lake |url=https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/new-grant-county-buses-running-between-ellensburg-moses-lake/article_60dbeb57-e887-5ca1-a743-3d2c1a6c0dd5.html |work=Ellensburg Daily Record |accessdate=December 22, 2019}} Several routes were consolidated in a major service change that took effect in April 2019.{{cite news |last=Pinkerton |first=Rachal |date=March 29, 2019 |title=GTA to change routes Monday |url=https://www.columbiabasinherald.com/local_news/20190329/gta_to_change_routes_monday |work=Columbia Basin Herald |accessdate=December 22, 2019}}
The Grant Transit Authority temporarily ceased collection of fares in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington. The policy was extended several times and made permanent on September 1, 2022, after the state government approved a statewide elimination of youth transit fares.{{cite web |title=Zero Fares |url=https://www.granttransit.com/buy-a-pass |publisher=Grant Transit Authority |accessdate=August 29, 2024}} Prior to 2020, the adult and youth fare for all service had been $1, with a reduced fare of $0.50 for eligible seniors.{{cite news |last=Pinkerton |first=Rachal |date=April 3, 2019 |title=GTA changes routes schedules, times |url=https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2019/apr/03/gta-changes-routes-schedules-times-2/ |work=Columbia Basin Herald |accessdate=August 29, 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.granttransit.com/}}
Category:Bus transportation in Washington (state)
Category:Free public transport