The contract operator of the Corvallis Transit System (CTS) has informed the City of Corvallis that CTS will be forced to significantly reduce service next month due to the contractor’s driver shortage. Transit services in Corvallis are provided by MTR Western Inc., a Seattle based transportation company, through a contract with the City.
Beginning with our routine fall service change on September 19, CTS will be suspending Saturday and Sunday service until driver numbers can support weekend service. In addition, some underperforming routes are also being eliminated in order to reallocate limited resources and sustain service to higher ridership routes.
Philomath Connection (PC) will also experience a reduction in Saturday service but will also see an increase in Monday-Friday service due to scheduling circumstances unique to this service.
Finally, providing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit service is a requirement for operators of fixed route bus systems. This service is for people whose disabilities prevent them from using the fixed route buses and is operated on the same days, hours, and geographic coverage as the bus system. Therefore, suspending Saturday CTS and PC service, Sunday CTS service, and Routes 50 and Night Owl means complementary ADA paratransit service will similarly be suspended. This service will come back as CTS and PC services are returned on those days.
Suspending these services is a distressing decision, and we know it will have a significant impact on our transit user community. Serious and ongoing transit driver shortages have affected most transit agencies nationwide and is unprecedented in CTS history. The City has been working closely with the private company that operates our transit system to retain existing drivers and attract new ones. These efforts included higher wages and bonuses for drivers. Despite these incentives, our contractor was unable to secure the staff resources needed to perform our complete planned fall schedule. We will continue to work towards bringing services back as soon as driver levels stabilize and allow for it.
Corvallis Transit System, Philomath Connection, and complementary paratransit changes are summarized below and will go into effect beginning Monday, September 19:
Corvallis Transit System Services to be Suspended Until Driver Shortage Addressed
- All Saturday CTS service
- All Sunday CTS service
Corvallis Transit System Services to be Eliminated Until Demand Rebounds
- Route 50
- Night Owl Routes
- Route 5 Peak Service
- Route 6 Peak Service
Changes to the Philomath Connection Service are as follows:
Philomath Connection Services to be Suspended Until Driver Shortage Addressed
- All Saturday PC service
Philomath Connection Service Increase
- Additional weekday runs at 9am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm
Complementary Paratransit Service Impacts
- CTS Saturday and Sunday suspended, until Saturday and Sunday service restored
- PC Saturday suspended, until Saturday service restored
- All Night Owl service hours eliminated, until Night Owl restored if demand rebounds
- Route 50 service area beyond ¾ mile north of Walnut Boulevard eliminated, until Route 50 restored if demand rebounds
Questions may be directed to CTS@corvallisoregon.gov or 541-766-6916.
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