QuickTake:

Residents of rural south Lane County, Mohawk Valley, Mapleton and Deadwood will be able to access the shuttle service beginning next month.

Riders in parts of rural Lane County will soon be able to book Lane Transit District shuttles to pick them up at their doorstep and drop them off at select stops.

The Rural Shuttle Pilot program begins March 2 and will cover the Deadwood and Mapleton Highway 36 area; south Lane County; and the Mohawk Valley.

Detailed maps of coverage areas and stops are provided on LTD’s website.

Riders can book a shuttle up to a day in advance to take them to service locations such as grocery stores, hospitals, and other LTD bus stops, connecting them to the rest of the county. 

“People who live in rural areas have unique transportation needs, and oftentimes they’re very isolated,” said Cosette Rees, LTD’s director of regional mobility management. They may not have other transportation options, she said, but the shuttle service offers “a connection to fresh food, to health care, even to socializing that can improve their health and quality of life.”

Funding for the program comes from Oregon’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund and will last until June 2027. Afterward, LTD will reevaluate whether to continue funding.

As a pilot program, LTD can adjust the program to better serve the community, which is why Rees emphasizes the importance of community feedback.

“We’re really encouraging people to let us know how this works,” Rees said. “Let us know if there are challenges, let us know how we could improve. The nature of a pilot is that we could potentially make changes.”

Fare prices start at $2.50 for a one-way trip but vary depending on location. Riders can call 541-682-3238 to schedule a pickup.

Shuttle service hours vary by location: 

  • South Lane: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Mohawk Valley: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Highway 36 between Deadwood and Mapleton: Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.