Public transit options increase for Grand Ronde residents

Grand Ronde residents now have a public transit option to get to the Oregon coast.

The Coastal Connector daily bus service started March 3 between Lincoln City and Grand Ronde.

Fares between Lincoln City and Grand Ronde are $3 one-way and free for Grand Ronde and Siletz Tribal members who show their Tribal identification. The full weekend fare between Lincoln City and Salem is $6. Reduced fares are offered to young children, teenagers and those 60 and older or disabled.

The express bus stops in Grand Ronde at the Tribal Community Center and at the east entrance of Spirit Mountain Casino.

Tillamook County Transportation District is the operator of the Coastal Connector, which is funded by an Intercity Transit grant. Matching monies come from the Grand Ronde and Siletz Tribes. Grand Ronde used state transit funds for its match.

The Coastal Connector also connects to the West Valley Route 22 run by the Yamhill County Transit Area for those wanting to continue on to Willamina, Sheridan and McMinnville, and to Cherriots, which runs between Spirit Mountain Casino and Salem on weekdays.

On weekends, the Coastal Connector will continue on to Salem.

For those who go west, there are connections linking coastal communities north to Tillamook, Cannon Beach and Astoria and south to Depot Bay, Newport and Yachats.

On weekdays, the Coastal Connector will stop at the Grand Ronde Community Center at 8:09 a.m. and 2:09 and 5:09 p.m. heading eastbound and at 8:41 a.m. and 2:41 and 5:41 p.m. heading to Lincoln City.

On weekends, the Salem-bound stops will occur at 8:34 a.m. and 1:04 and 6:54 p.m. and the Lincoln City-bound stops will be at 10:26 a.m. and 2:56 and 8:46 p.m.

Long-term parking is available at Chinook Winds in Lincoln City, on the Grand Ronde Tribal campus near the Community Center, on the east side of Spirit Mountain Casino and at the Salem railroad station.

Tribal Graphic Designer George Valdez created the salmon logo for the Coastal Connector. A more detailed and colorful Grand Ronde bus wrap, also created by Valdez, will be installed by next month and decorate one side of the bus.

For more information, call 503-815-8283 or visit www.tillamookbus.com.