Link Transit - Connecting Our Communities - Chelan and Douglas Counties, State of Washington

Link Transit is Looking for Transit Ambassadors!
Transit Ambassadors are being chosen from the schools participating in sales of the Annual Student Freedom Pass as a School Fund Raiser.  
Transit Ambassadors will represent Link Transit at public events between May 2013 and April 2014.

To download the application, click here. 

Beginning this month and extending into April, Link Transit will begin an effort to gather public input on a number of changes to transit service they are proposing to make later this year. These changes range from eliminating some rural services, changing the way service is provided to some communities, and adding service to some routes. If approved by Link Transit’s Board of Directors, these changes will go into effect on July 1, 2013.

Some or all of these recommendations may change as this public process is carraied out. Please check back here periodically for the latest information.

Comments on these recommendations will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Monday, April 15, 2013. You may comment by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Just added on January 9, 2013 are proposed fare adjustments. Scroll down to view these.

Now that the days are officially "short", it makes it more difficult for other drivers to see you. We have something for you that will make you more visible, whether you are walking around your neighborhood, waiting for the bus, or walking to your car. A small flashing light that you can clip onto your purse, backpack, briefcase, or coat will make you easy to see from a distance.

You can stop by and pick yours up at Columbia Station, or ask your bus driver for one. 

Entiat Park and Ride • SR 97A & Entiat Way • • Served by Routes 21, 210 and 26 • 21 spaces

Big Y Park and Ride • SR 2 & SR 97 • Served by Route 22 • 32 spaces

Lake Chelan Park and Ride • SR 97A & Center Street (Lakeside) • Served by Routes 21 and 201 • 29 spaces

Columbia Station • Kittitas and Columbia Streets, Wenatchee • Served by all routes except 11, 12, 31, 37 and DART • 67 spaces

Leavenworth Park and Ride • SR2 near USFS • Served by Routes 22 and 37 • 42 spaces 

Olds Station Park and Ride • Served by Routes 8E, 8W, 20, 200, 21, 210, 22 and 26 • 200 spaces 

If you are under 19, beginning August 26, you can pick up a Student Freedom Pass for $90. This is valid from August 27, 2012 through mid-June 2013. That is only about $10 per month to go anywhere you want on Link Transit. For more information on how to buy, please call 662-1155.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Current?
The Current is Link Transit’s new fleet of five rechargable electric battery trolleys. This will be the first application of this cutting-edge technology in the United States.

How much will this project cost?
This project is being paid for by a Federal grant of $2,925,000, through the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

How big are these electric trolleys?
The trolleys are 22 feet long, 92 inches wide, and will seat 22 people, with an additional capacity for 10 standing passenger. There is room for one wheelchair on these vehicles.

When will the Current begin service?
The Current is anticipated to be in full-time service by the middle of 2013.

Where will the Current operate?
The Current will replace the diesel trolleys that operate on the Route and 9 and 19 in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Route 9 operates every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday - Friday, and with 30 minute frequency 10:15 - 5:00 on Saturday. Route 19 operates from 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM, with 15 minute frequency between 9:15 and 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with Saturday service runnng every 30 minutes from 10:45 AM - 5:00 PM.

Who is manufacturing these vehicles?
These vehicles are being manufactured by EBus, of Downey, CA.

How will these vehicles recharge?
Recharging will be done at the end of each trip, using one of two ultra-fast charging stations located at Columbia Station. A charge of 5 to 7 minutes will bring the batteries up to 90 - 100% of a full charge. A charging station at Link’s operation base will allow all five vehicles to slow charge overnight.

How many batteries do these vehicles have?
There are 256 individual battery cells, bundled in units of 8 cells each. There are two blocks of 16 of these bundles, one on each side of the vehicle.

How far can these trolleys go on a single charge?
It is estimated that these vehicles will be able to travel about 20 miles on a single charge.

What benefits do these vehicles offer over the diesel trolleys?
First and foremost, these vehicles will produce zero carbon emissions, an annual reduction of an estimated 688 metric tons of carbon and carbon dioxide equivalents from the existing trolleys. Secondly, they will be less expensive to operate, based on the projected battery life and replacement cost versus the cost of diesel fuel during that same time. Additionally, they are a low floor design, so there are no stairs, and they are significantly quieter than the diesel trolleys.

How much will it cost to operate these vehicles?
It is estimated that it will cost about 2.6¢ per mile compared to 35¢ per mile for the diesel trolleys.

Why is Link Transit starting to use electric vehicles?
There are several reasons why this project came about. First, the Federal government made the grants available. Secondly, we will be needing to replace the existing diesel trolleys in a couple of years at a cost of about $450,000 each, which we don't have the money for. Thirdly, the low cost of power here in the Wenatchee area makes this project a financial winner for Link Transit, because it will be less expensive to operate these electric vehicles than it would be to operate diesel trolleys. We won't be spending as much on electricity as we would on diesel, so we will have more money available to operate other services. Fourthly, the maintenance on the existing diesel trolleys is very costly, and parts are extremely hard to get. There will be greatly reduced maintenance costs on the electric vehicles.

We know that not many people are ready to permanently park their car and start using transit for all their travel. But here are a few tips that might help you loosen the grip on your steering wheel, and help you begin using transit every now and then. A little change by many can result in positive changes in carbon emissions, congestion, and quality of life.

1.    Try using your car just one or two days a week. Use these days to run errands before or after work, or at lunch.

2.    Are you dropping kids off at daycare? Find out if your daycare is on a bus route (many are) and see if you can leave your car there for the day, and take the bus from your daycare to your work location, and back again at the end of the day.

3.    Plan a trip on a Saturday to Leavenworth or Chelan. Get a few friends together, and take the day to go play. You won’t have to worry about parking, and you can even imbibe if you wish and not have to worry about driving home. Maybe once you try transit for something like this you will realize that it is something you can try on a more regular basis.

4.    No service where you live? There are several park and ride lots (most communities we serve have one) where you can leave you vehicle and catch a bus to your work location.

5.    If you work in downtown Wenatchee and have errands to run during lunch, or want to go somewhere for lunch too far to walk, try taking the trolley. It runs every 15 minutes, and travels through downtown as far as Valley North Center, so it hits most everyplace you might want to go anyway.

6.    Try fitting transit into your kid’s lives too. It teaches them independence and responsibility. Instead of playing taxi driver for their every need, have them find one place they can go on the bus and encourage them to try it out. Go with them the first time or two just to give you some peace of mind that they can do it. It might even give you some extra time and stretch your gas budget too.

7.    Are you having trouble fitting a little more exercise into your daily routine? Maybe the walk to and from the bus stop is just what you need. It is cheaper than a gym membership, and lets you get out in your neighborhood and into the fresh air. What more perfect way to get out this spring, which is just starting to appear (albeit infrequently).

8.    Ask your employer if they would support your use of public transportation by either paying for your bus pass, or allowing you to pay for it yourself using pretax dollars. Either of these options are allowable under IRS rules, and result in tax savings for you and your employer.

9.    If you have absolutely no idea how to ride the bus, including how to read a schedule, or what fare to pay, you are not alone. We are here to help. You can call our Guest Services representatives at 662-1155 and they will walk you through the whole process. You will be surprised at how easy it is!