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Service Questions
How
is the service funded?
Since 1985, Lane Transit District has administered a number
of services located within Lane County that are funded through the
Special Transportation Fund for the Elderly and Disabled (STF).
Money for the fund comes from the State of Oregon's cigarette tax.
LTD has been successful in applying for federal grants through the
Small City and Rural Assistance Program to improve rural services
to the general public in Florence, Cottage Grove, and Oakridge. Rider fares and other local contributions cover about 10 percent of the full cost.
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Is
Oakridge now a part of LTD's service district?
No. In order to be part of LTD's service area and to get
regular, fixed-route bus service, communities within Lane County
must agree to participate in LTD's business payroll
and self-employment tax program. However, LTD provides technical
assistance to rural communities through its Accessible Services
Program and Commuter Solutions. In this way, LTD has been able
to help establish programs outside of its service area by securing
other funding.
LTD coordinates
these services with the help and guidance of interested rural residents,
local officials, and staff from social service agencies.
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Who
coordinates the service?
The service is administered through LTD’s Accessible Services Program. A private, non-profit agency, Special Mobility Services, Inc. (SMS), operates the service under contract with LTD. The development of the service was a collaboration between LTD’s Accessible Services, Service Planning, and Commuter Solutions Programs in partnership with stakeholders from Oakridge and Westfir. SMS also operates RideSource, a curb-to-curb service for older adults and people with disabilities in Eugene and Springfield. SMS operates RideSource, a curb-to-curb
service for seniors and people with disabilities in Eugene and Springfield. SMS successfully has
operated Dial-a-Ride and other specialized transit services for more than 20 years. SMS employs the Oakridge Diamond
Express manager and drivers.
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How
much does it cost to ride, and how does it
coordinate with LTD's fare system? Can I ride with
my LTD group pass?
Each one-way trip costs $2.50. If riders pay for a $5.00
round-trip when boarding in Oakridge, they will receive an
LTD Day Pass that can be used on LTD buses throughout
that day. LTD group pass holders and other LTD passes
cannot be used to ride the Diamond Express. At this time,
all fares must be paid in cash with exact change.
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What
is the capacity for people, bicycles, and
wheelchairs on the vehicle?
Currently, the Diamond Express bus has seating for 26 people and two spaces for persons who use a mobility device. The bus also includes a bicycle rack on the front with a two-bicycle capacity. At the driver’s discretion, additional bicycles also can be placed on board. A new 35-passenger vehicle is being ordered to be in service in late 2009.
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What happens if the bus is full? Will another
bus be sent out?
The Diamond Express operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If needed, a second vehicle will be dispatched for the 5:30 p.m. return trip to ensure that everyone gets the ride back to Oakridge.
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How
do I catch the bus if there is not a
designated stop? Can I get on anywhere?
To be picked up, riders may hail the driver from a safe
location, or they may ask to be dropped off along the route within
Oakridge, except on Hwy 58. After leaving Oakridge,
the driver will stop only at designated stops. (See the route
map and schedule). On return trips to Oakridge, the driver
will stop only at those locations where riders ask to be
dropped off. For example, the driver may by-pass the
Westridge stop on a return trip if no one on the bus needs
to get off at that location.
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Is
there a Park & Ride location?
Currently, there is one designated Park & Ride location at
the Westridge Middle School to serve residents of Westfir. Oakridge
riders will need to walk to the route or be dropped off to catch the bus, or they may use available on-street parking near the route.
Park & ride locations in Oakridge may become
available in the future.
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How
does the Curb-to-Curb feature of the service work?
This is a great feature of the Diamond Express for older adults and people with disabilities! On the midday trip that arrives in Eugene at 10:25 a.m., the Diamond Express becomes a curb-to-curb service within Eugene and Springfield for older adults and people with disabilities (and others as time allows) by taking them directly to their final destination. Riders are asked to tell the driver their desired drop-off location when boarding. The driver will create the most efficient curb-to-curb route and will arrange for a pick-up time that allows the bus to get back on schedule for the 2:30 p.m. departure from downtown Eugene.
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