Beginning September 20, Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will reintroduce some of its fixed-route bus service to Bellingham and Whatcom County.
On March 30, WTA reduced service by 30 percent. This temporary service reduction was required to address low ridership, as well as to address shortages of staffing and safety supplies. According to a recent survey, rider requests, and observable patterns of ridership, demand for service is increasing. The availability of staffing and supplies has also stabilized.
While service overall will still be reduced, WTA will go from operating Saturday-level service Monday through Friday and Sunday-level service on weekends to operating Saturday-level service on Monday through Saturday, and Sunday-level service on Sunday.
WTA is also adding earlier weekday trips on seven routes, as requested by riders who need earlier trips to get to work. These are Routes 14, 190, 232 and 331 in Bellingham, Route 512 Sudden Valley, Route 72X Kendall, and Route 75 Blaine/Birch Bay.
Also by request, WTA will be adding one later trip on Route 80X to Mount Vernon.
Minor service changes, originally intended to take effect in June, will also begin on September 20. For schedule details, riders can call (360) 676-7433 or visit ridewta.com/changes.
WTA paratransit service will be increased to correspond to the increase in fixed-route service. Riders with questions can call (360) 676-7433 or visit http://www.ridewta.com.
