The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) has announced a series of bus route changes that will go into effect later this month.
The changes include the discontinuance of Route 65, which connects Everson, Nooksack Lynden, Birch Bay and Ferndale. Route 65 was a two-year pilot project, funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
According to a WTA spokesperson, the funding for Route 65 expired and ridership had also been low, leading to WTA’s decision to discontinue the service as of Sunday, June 16.
Route 75 will continue to serve Blaine and Birch Bay. Route 75 operates on weekdays and Saturdays with a new schedule that goes into effect on Sunday, June 16. It makes 10 trips per weekday from Bellingham to Blaine and 12 trips per weekday from Blaine to Bellingham.
Some of the trips are “express” trips, meaning they get people to/from Blaine and Bellingham more quickly by skipping some of the stops.
Route 75 is also a “flex” route, which means that it not only serves bus stops on a regular schedule, but also goes off-route within a defined service area upon request. There are no eligibility requirements; flex service is available to everyone, provided they make reservations in advance.
In 2018, WTA provided about 200 trips per weekday on Route 75, and about 60 trips per Saturday.
Other changes recently announced by WTA include new service to Bellingham International Airport.
Beginning Monday, June 17, WTA will provide bus service directly to the terminal building at Bellingham International Airport. Route 3 will link the airport with both Bellingham Station in downtown Bellingham, and with Cordata Station near Whatcom Community College. The route will depart hourly from both stations between 6:40 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. on weekdays, and between 7:40 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. on Saturdays.
Other changes include re-routing on Routes 4 and 50. These are intended to make it easier for residents of both the Birchwood neighborhood and Lummi Nation to reach a Fred Meyer shopping center.
Many other routes and schedules are changing in some way. To learn more about the changes, call 360/676-7433 or visit ridewta.com.
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