POINT Intercity Bus Service
{{Short description|Government-funded system in Oregon}}
{{Infobox bus company
| name = POINT Intercity Bus Service
| logo =
| logo_size =
| image = Cascades POINT at Union Station (22693236666).jpg
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| image_caption = A POINT bus at Portland Union Station in 2015
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| parent = Oregon Department of Transportation
| founded =
| commenced = {{Start date|2009|04}}
| headquarters =
| service_area = Oregon
| service_type = Intercity bus
| alliance =
| routes = 4
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| operator = MTR Western, Pacific Crest Bus Lines, Northwest Navigator
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| website = {{official URL}}
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The POINT Intercity Bus Service is a four-route, intercity bus service sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The service is administered by ODOT's Public Transportation Division as part of its intercity grant program.{{cite web |title=Intercity/Transit Network |url=http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/PT/Pages/programs/intercity.aspx |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |access-date=July 15, 2016}} The POINT service exists to connect towns and rural communities with major transportation hubs and urban centers. ODOT accomplishes this by filling gaps in Oregon's long distance transit network where no public services exist and which would otherwise be unprofitable for private companies.
Tickets for POINT services are sold through multiple ticketeing systems, including the Amtrak, Greyhound, and FlixBus national networks. When purchasing tickets through Amtrak, POINT services are marketed as part of the Amtrak Thruway network.
History
ODOT began investing heavily in intercity bus services in 1994.{{cite press release |date=April 19, 2012 |title=Expanded intercity bus service connects Oregon communities |url=http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/GOVREL/Pages/news/040912d.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925125516/http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/GOVREL/Pages/news/040912d.aspx |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |access-date=July 15, 2016}} The decline in Greyhound service in Oregon in the late 1990s led to a rise in local private operators.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Quinton |date=January 23, 2011 |title=Oregon's rural, intercity bus lines offer a hassle-free, affordable option for getting around |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/01/oregons_intercity_bus_lines_connect_rural_towns_to_friends_in_city_and_to_transportation_hubs.html |work=The Oregonian |access-date=July 15, 2016}} Over time, to better meet the travel needs of Oregonians and draw more ridership, ODOT created the POINT program through "a mixture of new service, expanded service and service re-branding that relies on public-private partnerships with private bus operators."
The service is operated by private bus companies under contract to ODOT.{{cite web|title=POINT [Home page]|url=http://oregon-point.com|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|access-date=May 3, 2018}} MTR Western operates the Cascades and Eastern Routes,{{cite web|title=Cascades POINT: About|url=https://www.oregon-point.com/route-landing/?route=cascades-route/|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|access-date=May 3, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Eastern POINT: About|url=https://www.oregon-point.com/route-landing/?route=eastern/|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|access-date=May 3, 2018}} Northwest Navigator operates the NorthWest Route,{{cite web|title=Northwest POINT: About|url=https://www.oregon-point.com/route-landing/?route=northwest/|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|access-date=May 3, 2018}} and Pacific Crest Bus Lines operates the SouthWest Route.{{cite web|title=SouthWestPOINT: About|url=https://www.oregon-point.com/route-landing/?route=southwest/|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|access-date=May 3, 2018}}
In 2019, the former High Desert POINT route was discontinued and is now operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines as an Amtrak Thruway service from Redmond to Klamath Falls.{{cite web|title=Oregon POINT Facebook page| website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/oregonpoint/photos/a.624260184382165/1633755263432647/?type=3&theater/|access-date=November 14, 2019}}
Routes
- Cascades Route (established July 2012), operating from Portland (Union Station) to the University of Oregon (Eugene) stopping at Tualatin Woodburn Salem and Albany before stopping in Eugene
- Eastern Route (established February 2011), operating from Bend to Ontario with stops in Brothers Riley Burns Buchanan Drewsey Juntura Harper and Vale before stopping at Ontario
- NorthWest Route (established March 2010):{{cite news |last=Foden-Vencil|first=Kristian |author-link=Kristian Foden-Vencil |date=March 18, 2010 |title=New Bus Route To Connect Portland And Seaside |url=http://www.opb.org/news/article/new-bus-route-connect-portland-and-seaside/ |work=Oregon Public Broadcasting |access-date=July 15, 2016}} Portland (Union Station) to Astoria with stops at Beaverton Hillsboro North Plains Elsie Cannon Beach Seaside Gearhart Warrenton before stopping at Astoria
- SouthWest Route (established April 2009):{{cite news |last=Fattig |first=Paul |date=April 15, 2009 |title=New bus system links Medford with coast |url=http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20090415/News/904150312 |work=Mail Tribune |location=Medford, Oregon |access-date=July 15, 2016}} Klamath Falls to Medford and Cave Junction to Brookings, with service in between Medford and Cave Junction provided by Josephine Community Transit
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|}}
- {{official website|http://www.oregon-point.com/}}
Category:Bus transportation in Oregon
Category:Transit agencies in Oregon