Ride Connection
{{Short description|Paratransit service in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, U.S.}}
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| image2 = Ride Connection minibus at Hillsboro TC in 2014.jpg
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| caption2 = A Ride Connection minibus at Hillsboro Central Transit Center in 2014
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| locale = Portland metropolitan area, Oregon, U.S.
| transit_type = Public transport bus service, paratransit
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| website = [https://rideconnection.org/ rideconnection.org]
| began_operation = {{Start date|1988|05|26}}
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Ride Connection is a private, nonprofit organization that provides fixed bus route and paratransit services in the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was founded as Volunteer Transport, Inc. on May 26, 1988.
History
On May 26, 1988, Volunteer Transport, Inc. (VTI) was established to provide accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in the Portland metropolitan area. In 1990, it began partnering with TriMet to offer ADA-compliant paratransit services, enhancing accessibility for those unable to use fixed-route transit.{{cite web |url=https://rideconnection.org/30years/earlyyears |title=Ride Connection: The Early Years |publisher=Ride Connection |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601093044/https://rideconnection.org/30years/earlyyears |url-status=dead }}{{cite report |last1=Burkhardt |first1=Jon E. |last2=Koffman |first2=David |last3=Murray |first3=Gail |title=Economic Benefits of Coordinating Human Service Transportation and Transit Services |year=2003 |publisher=Transportation Research Board |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=62–66 |isbn=0309087651 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJOrhvtaujcC |access-date=February 4, 2022 |via=Google Books}}
Paratransit services
Ride Connection provides paratransit services to anyone over the age of 60 or with a disability, and people with low income.{{cite news |last=Doubleday |first=Russ |title=Smaller transit agencies are a lifeline for many older adults and people with disabilities |publisher=Metro |date=November 16, 2017 |url=https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/smaller-transit-agencies-are-lifeline-many-older-adults-and-people-disabilities |access-date=February 3, 2022}} It complements TriMet's LIFT.{{cite web |title=Making History: 50 Years of Transit in the Portland Region |last=Selinger |first=Philip |date=October 2019 |publisher=TriMet |page=53 |url=https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225160919/https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2020}}
Fixed-route networks
Ride Connection refers to its fixed bus route services as "Community Connectors". As of 2024, it operates eight Community Connectors in communities mostly within Washington County. Riders may schedule an off-route pick up (within {{frac|1|2}} mile of the route) by calling in. Ride Connection also partners with the Tillamook County Transportation District by subsidizing a Wave bus route between Banks, North Plains, and Portland. All services are fare free.{{cite news |last=Evanson |first=Wade |title=Ride Connection plans expansion in Washington County |date=September 30, 2020 |newspaper=Hillsboro News-Times |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/482666-389270-ride-connection-plans-expansion-in-washington-county |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203220024/https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/482666-389270-ride-connection-plans-expansion-in-washington-county |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Evanson |first=Wade |title=New Ride Connection routes up and running |date=May 6, 2021 |newspaper=Forest Grove News-Times |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/fgnt/36-news/507789-406229-new-ride-connection-routes-up-and-running |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203221528/https://pamplinmedia.com/fgnt/36-news/507789-406229-new-ride-connection-routes-up-and-running |url-status=live }}
=GroveLink=
GroveLink serves Forest Grove with two routes: West Loop and East Loop. A third, less-frequent route called the Employment Loop operates in the early mornings and early afternoons. GroveLink originated from a study that realized a need for a more local service than TriMet bus route 57–TV Highway/Forest Grove, which had operated as the only public transit service within Forest Grove with a single route along Pacific Avenue (Oregon Route 8) eastward to Hillsboro and Beaverton.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Mark |last2=Singer |first2=Olivia |title='A success story all around' celebrates five years |date=August 21, 2018 |newspaper=Forest Grove News-Times |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/fgnt/36-news/403923-300007-a-success-story-all-around-celebrates-five-years |access-date=February 17, 2022}} GroveLink began operating on August 19, 2013.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Jill Rehkopf |title=GroveLink starts Aug. 19 in Forest Grove |date=July 31, 2013 |newspaper=Forest Grove News-Times |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/fgnt/36-news/157956-grovelink-starts-aug-19-in-forest-grove |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808143814/http://portlandtribune.com/fgnt/36-news/157956-grovelink-starts-aug-19-in-forest-grove |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author= |title=2013: Forest Grove linked by GroveLink shuttle service |date=December 26, 2019 |newspaper=Forest Grove News-Times |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/fgnt/38-features/446591-362593-2013-forest-grove-linked-by-grovelink-shuttle-service |access-date=February 17, 2022}}
=North Hillsboro Link=
The North Hillsboro Link began operating on November 16, 2015.{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Jim |title=No fare necessary: New bus service connects Orenco Station and North Hillsboro |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 16, 2015 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/2015/11/new_bus_service_connects_orenc.html |access-date=February 3, 2022}}
=Tualatin Shuttle=
File:Tualatin station platform view, showing gauntlet track (2015).jpg
The Tualatin Shuttle serves Tualatin with three, color-designated routes, all of which connect at the Tualatin WES station, served by TriMet's WES Commuter Rail.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark |title=Tualatin Shuttle modifies route to align with new bus line |date=July 18, 2016 |newspaper=The Times (Tualatin) |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/ttt/89-news/315390-193034-tualatin-shuttle-modifies-route-to-align-with-new-bus-line |access-date=February 2, 2022}} The Tualatin Shuttle began as the "Tualatin Employment Shuttle", established by the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce in 1997.{{cite web |url=https://tualatinchamber.com/community/transportation/ |title=Transportation |publisher=Tualatin Chamber of Commerce |access-date=February 3, 2022}} Ride Connection took over its operations on October 1, 2014.{{cite news |last=Feldman |first=Caitlin |title=Ride Connection assesses Tualatin Shuttle |date=November 13, 2014 |newspaper=The Times (Tualatin) |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/ttt/89-news/240591-106969-ride-connection-assesses-tualatin-shuttle |access-date=February 17, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Pursinger |first=Geoff |title=First-ever TriMet bus line planned between Sherwood and Tualatin |date=June 24, 2015 |newspaper=Sherwood Gazette |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/sg/77-news/264778-138182-first-ever-trimet-bus-line-planned-between-sherwood-and-tualatin |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203221808/https://pamplinmedia.com/sg/77-news/264778-138182-first-ever-trimet-bus-line-planned-between-sherwood-and-tualatin |url-status=live }} The Blue Line operates a loop route west of the WES station within neighborhoods surrounding Herman Road. The Red Line operates another loop route south and east of the WES station with stops at the Tualatin Library and Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.{{cite web |url=https://rideconnection.org/assets/pdf/RC-tualatin-05112021.pdf |title=Connect with Tualatin Shuttle |publisher=Ride Connection |date=May 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218184226/https://rideconnection.org/assets/pdf/RC-tualatin-05112021.pdf |url-status=dead }} In September 2021, Ride Connection introduced a third route that runs from Bridgeport Village, the WES station, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, and Borland Free Clinic.{{cite web |url=https://rideconnection.org/assets/pdf/rc-tualatin-expansion-info-handout.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3aUxsbU_ikBHusWaSMwi-QpqFfJaaFvImXfWFbhvTatynhPbYVznwHsIw |title=Ride Connection is expanding its Tualatin free shuttle service! |publisher=Ride Connection |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601095233/https://rideconnection.org/assets/pdf/rc-tualatin-expansion-info-handout.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3aUxsbU_ikBHusWaSMwi-QpqFfJaaFvImXfWFbhvTatynhPbYVznwHsIw |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Kulla |first=Josh |title=Ride Connection expands Tualatin free shuttle service |date=October 6, 2021 |publisher=Tualatin Life |url=https://tualatinlife.com/local-news/ride-connection-expands-tualatin-free-shuttle-service/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203222453/https://tualatinlife.com/local-news/ride-connection-expands-tualatin-free-shuttle-service/ |url-status=live }} Service operates from Monday to Friday in coordination with WES train arrivals.
=Bethany Link=
Bethany Link began operating on October 14, 2024, connecting TriMet's Sunset Transit Center (and MAX Light Rail station) with the Bethany area and Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus via Cedar Mill. It operates Mondays to Fridays.{{cite web |title=Ride Connection is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Community Connector route, BethanyLink |url=https://www.facebook.com/RideConnection/posts/pfbid0ut4a3oTXPGiNGy1qCE9CdGrKj4kiy4o5gCNs1f58D2NWF9wrtvrtSvZPinP2HhbUl |publisher=Ride Connection |via=Facebook |access-date=2024-12-14 |date=October 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214121518/https://www.facebook.com/RideConnection/posts/pfbid0ut4a3oTXPGiNGy1qCE9CdGrKj4kiy4o5gCNs1f58D2NWF9wrtvrtSvZPinP2HhbUl |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Bethany Link schedule and route map |url=https://rideconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RC-bethanylink-brochure-web.pdf |publisher=Ride Connection |access-date=2024-12-14 |date=October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110070522/https://rideconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RC-bethanylink-brochure-web.pdf |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=BethanyLink increases local transit options |url=https://cedarmillnews.com/article/1124-bethanylink/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |work=The Cedar Mill News |date=November 3, 2024 |archive-date=2024-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214123049/https://cedarmillnews.com/article/1124-bethanylink/ |url-status=live }}
References
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External links
{{Commons category|Ride Connection}}
- {{cite web |url=https://rideconnection.org/ |title=Ride Connection}}
{{Portland Transit}}
Category:Transit agencies in Oregon