 The third season of the free Ride Bend transit service will launch in Bend on July 1, with a new twist! Instead of waiting at a bus stop, riders can request rides on demand via the new Ride Bend App (or via phone). Within the defined service area (below), The Ride Bend shuttle picks up riders at their door and shuttles them to their destination with other riders heading the same way. The service will enhance overall mobility and reduce parking demand and congestion in popular areas of Bend (including Downtown Bend, the Old Mill District, and along the busy Galveston Avenue corridor). "Ride Bend is a fresh, new improvement to our transportation options" said Mayor Sally Russell. "Especially during the summer months we need to make it easier and more efficient for residents and visitors to move around our community"  The free Ride Bend service will include three vans, one fully ADA accessible, providing curb-to-curb service on demand. Service will be available daily, from noon to 8 p.m. Rides can be requested via the Ride Bend App, available for iPhone and Android. A call-in number will also be available for passengers without access to a smartphone. After Labor Day, the Ride Bend service will connect Oregon State University-Cascades, Central Oregon Community College, Northwest Crossing and all residential areas west of 14th Street. That service will run through the middle of December, coinciding with the students’ fall term.  The Ride Bend service is provided by Downtowner, a national leader in microtransit, with successful programs running in California, Utah, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida. The Mobility Lab at OSU-Cascades will oversee the service as a pilot study intended to help regional agencies identify a more efficient way to provide transit to a region that lacks the density of larger metro areas. The program is sponsored by the City of Bend, Visit Bend, The Downtown Bend Business Association, the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization, St. Charles Health Systems, Cascades East Transit, OSU-Cascades and Bend 2030. FAQWhat is Ride Bend?
Ride Bend is an on-demand, app-based transit service available to everyone. This service will be available at no cost to any rider who summons the vehicle with the Ride Bend app. Funding partners include: the City of Bend, Visit Bend, the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization, St. Charles Health System, OSU-Cascades, and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. How do I use Ride Bend? Download the Ride Bend app and enter your desired trip origin and destination. The app will tell you how soon we can pick you up. If the pick-up time works with your schedule, request the ride. You can also call [phone number coming soon] to request a ride. How much does Ride Bend cost? The Ride Bend service is free. Can I take Ride Bend from my house near Galveston Avenue to Safeway? To my friend’s house? To get dinner? Yes! You can use Ride Bend to get anywhere within the service boundary. For those interested in traveling outside of the service area, Ride Bend can drop you off at Cascades East Transit’s Hawthorne Station. Will my ride go directly to my destination? Or will we stop to pick up other people? The Ride Bend vans fit up to 12 people, including the driver. On busier days, expect to share the van with other passengers (and possibly their dog). How many vehicles will be in service? Three vehicles in total will be in service, with seating for up to 12 people, including the driver. One vehicle is wheelchair-accessible and all vehicles are dog-friendly. Can I bring my bike? Yes. Ride Bend vans are equipped with bike racks. Can I take Ride Bend after floating the river? Floaters can ride the Ride the River shuttle buses for $3.00, and enjoy unlimited rides all day. How do I request a ride in an accessible van? Within the Ride Bend app, select the option for an ADA vehicle. Or, call us to request an accessible ride. Phone number to be posted by July 1. When will Ride Bend operate in 2019? Ride Bend will operate a summer service July 1 through September 2 (Labor Day). After Labor Day, the service area will shift west to include the OSU-Cascades and COCC campuses. The most up-to-date information on hours of operation can always be found on the app. Is there an age limit for who can utilize Ride Bend? In the interest of safety, children 12 & under may not ride Ride Bend alone. Children must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible rider. Why was Ride Bend introduced? Ride Bend was introduced to reduce parking demand and congestion within the areas that see the most traffic during the summer months. Ride Bend connects to the Cascades East Transit system to make it easy for those traveling to other parts of Bend or Central Oregon. How is Ride Bend funded? The program is sponsored by the City of Bend, Visit Bend, the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization, St. Charles Health Systems, OSU-Cascades, and Cascades East Transit, with in-kind support from Bend 2030 and the Downtown Bend Business Association.
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